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

RS3954

Location

لحايا, Lahaya, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Lahaya, Hama, on July 25th. @HalabTodayTV said that "a civilian was killed by Russian airstrikes on the village of Lahaya in the northern Hama countryside However, @shabablatamni accused the Syrian regime of responsibility for this incident and tweeted "Regime helicopters bombard with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3952

Location

أم الصير, Um Al Sair, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians, including children, were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Al Sair, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019, according to local sources. A single source reported that the strikes led to a civilian death. Edlib Media Center wrote that "three civilians wounded in raids by Russian occupation aircraft on the…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3953

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al Sobul, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that 20 civilians, including three children and four women, were injured when Russia and the Syrian regime conducted airstrikes on cities and towns of Khan Sheikhan, Ma'arat al-Nu'man, Deir al-Sharqi and Um al-Sair, Jabal al-Arbaeen, Ma'sibin, al-Qasabiyah, Mar'and, Tannnah and Khan al-Sobull. Baladi News reported that in a special statement, Abdul Rahman…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3948

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria
Up to nine civilians were reported killed and other injured, some seriously, by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Tahtaya in Idlib on July 25th, 2019. According to @syrian191124, vacuum missiles were used in the attack. Khaled Mahmoud Al-Hudayri, an adult male, was named as one of the victims by…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3949

Location

قرية طبيش, Tabish village, Idlib, Syria
In the evening of July 24th, 2019, alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes caused what was described as "a horrific massacre" of an entire family in the village of Tabish near the city of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Idlib. Local sources reported that the airstrikes struck residential houses in the village of Tabish…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3950

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Up to 19 civilians, including at least three children and two women, were killed in several air raids by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes on July 24th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to 19 others were reported injured. Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes fired several missiles on a local market in the center of…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–19
Civilians reported injured
16–19
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident