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

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3947

Location

محيط قؤسة معركبة, Surrounding Ko`usa Ma`arkba, Hama, Syria
Local sources claimed that two civilians were killed by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces missile fire on agricultural lands near Ko`usa Ma`arkba, north of Hama from Camp Bardij, on July 24th, 2019. The Syrian Human Rights Committee named the victims as Jihad Ali Al-Naasan and  Aryam al-Melhem (other sources named him Oqba Aryan…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3951

Location

محمبل, Muhambel, Idlib, Syria
A mother and her two daughters were killed by alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in the town of Muhambel, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019. An unknown number of other civilians were reported wounded. @syrian191124 tweeted: "Three civilians were killed and others were wounded as warplanes targeted the town of…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3945

Location

جبالا, Jabala, Idlib, Syria
A civilian male was reported killed and two others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Jabala, Idlib governorate, on July 23rd, 2019, as reported by local sources. Step Agency tweeted that "a civilian was killed and others were wounded when an explosive barrage hit the town of Jabala,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3946

Location

الحامدية, Al Hamidiya, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were reported wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Hamadiya, Idlib governorate, on July 23rd, 2019, according to local sources. @baladinetwork reported that "civilians were wounded by the bombing of warplanes on the town of Al Hamidiya near the city of Ma'arat Al Numan in the southern…

Summary

Published
23 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3942

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and up to six others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a residential neighborhood including a market in Ma`arat Al Nu`man. Orient News also said that a child went missing as a result of the attack. The Syrian Human Rights Committee named the victim as Ahmad Al-Nassan. …

Summary

Published
23 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3943

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheihkhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
A civilian male was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on July 23rd, 2019, according to local sources. In addition, the strikes reportedly led to the destruction of civilian homes and of "the last automated bakery in the city" The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib…

Summary

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