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

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3926

Location

خان شيخون, خان شيخون, Idlib, Syria
One civilian at least was reported injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, Syria on July 20th, 2019 according to local sources. Palmyra Post reported that young man Mahmoud Khaled Al Hamroush was injured as a result of airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun. However, @MasarPressNet said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3923

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
A number of civilians were reported injured as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Heesh in Idlib, Syria on July 20th, 2019 according to local sources. @hafeztaraman tweeted that a civilian was seriously injured as a result of the airstrikes. Local sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3922

Location

بلدات متعددة في أدلب, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Step News reported that "the Syrian and Russian warplanes targeted several air strikes in the area of Basleya, south of the city of Khan Sheikhun, Khan Sheikhun, Ksafra, Billion, Ma'arata, Jabal al-Arbaeen, Tari'i, Hibayt and Hayesh al-Rikaya in Idlib with high-impact rockets." No other information is known at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3925

Location

بليون, Balyoun, Idlib, Syria
Up to eight civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Balyoun, Idlib, on July 20th. @muhammad_salhab said "Six injuries and major damage to the properties of the people as a result of the airstrike that targeted the town of Billion in the morning." @SY_plus tweeted reported "six injuries, including four men, a child and a…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
6–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3920

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on an IDP camp in Hass, Idlib, on July 19th, 2019. An additional one to two civilians were reported injured in the attack, along with substantial damage to residential structures. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the victim of the airstrikes as "Abdul…

Summary

Published
19 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3919

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Morek in Hama on July 28th, 2019. The victim was named as Ibrahim Mustafa Al-Khaed, aged 19, originally from Al-Latamneh according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Network also claimed that the Syrian…

Summary

Published
28 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