Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,431 – 6,522

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3960

Location

اليعقوبية, Al Yakoubiya, Idlib, Syria
Armin Yaqoub Khalilo, a man from the Christian community, died in the village of Al Yaqoubia in Idlib, on July 25th, 2019, due to the explosion of cluster bomb remnants from an alleged previous Russian or Syrian regime bombing. According to various local sources such as Shaam News Network, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3955

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib governorate, on July 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five others were reported injured. @HalabTodayTV wrote that: "Two [civilians] were killed and others were wounded as a result of Russian airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3957

Location

كفروما, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians, including at least one child, were reported killed and 10 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on civilian homes in the town of Kafarouma, Idlib governorate, on July 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported that "three people were killed and several wounded when…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education, Residential
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3956

Location

الاتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that up to five civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Atarib, Aleppo countryside, on July 25th, 2019. At least three others were injured. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted: "A man and a woman were killed and three others were wounded, as a result of the warplanes…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3958

Location

البوابية, Al Bawabiya, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including two children were reported killed, and up to five including children and women were wounded, in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or artillery attacks on Al Bawabiya in Aleppo's southern countryside in Syria on July 25th, 2019. Three of the victims and two of the injured belong to…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3959

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria
One to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on al Latamina, Hama, on July 25th, 2019. @jisirtv tweeted that barrel bombs were used in the attack. Syrian Network for Human Rights named one fatality as "Abdul Hakim Ahmad al Sayyed", "killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired several missiles on al Latamina town…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military actors reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident