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

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3944

Location

ديرسنبل, Deir Sinbul, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians, including a child, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Deir Sinbul in Idlib governorate on July 23rd, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "a child was injured by the targeting of the town of Deir Sinbul in the village…

Summary

Published
23 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3941

Location

بلدات متعددة في أدلب, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News Network reported that Russian forces conducted heavy air raids accompanied with heavy shelling and artillery shelling on the cities and towns of Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Khan Sheikhoun, Tallakan, Kanda, Hamediyah, Deir Snabal, Jabala, Bassamis, Sahihan, Hayish, Najeej and Ma’ar Zeita. The source claimed that one civilian was killed in "all of Ma'arat Al…

Summary

Published
23 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3936

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Up to 50 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on July 22nd. A further 10 to 100 were allegedly injured in the incident. In December 2019, the New York Times published an investigation into the event, which it said was perpetrated by the Russian Air Force. While initial sources cited…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
40–51
Civilians reported injured
10–109
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3937

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Nine civilians, including four children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes that struck a local market and school in Saraqib in the afternoon of July 22nd, as reported by local sources. Up to 16 others were injured. According to @ShahbaPress, four civilians including a woman were killed and 16 were wounded, while Step…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3938

Location

كفروما, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged Syrian or Russian airstrikes struck Kafarouma, Idlib governorate, killing up to three civilians. An unknown number of others were injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that helicopters belonging to the Syrian regime forces "dropped several barrel bombs on al Farouq al Gharbiya School in Kafrooma village in Idlib…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3939

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on July 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported "one martyr and wounded civilians as a result of air raids on the city of Kafar Nabil." Shaam News…

Summary

Published
22 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