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

14 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3904

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source claimed that "a number of civilians were injured in air strikes by the Russian Air Force with surface and cluster missiles on the outskirts of the city". No other details are known at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3905

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
A water pumping station in Ma'arat al-Nu'man south of Idlib was struck by one of six alleged Russian air raids, injuring four technical staff members of the station and other civilians and putting the station out of service. Radio Al-Kul said that "Ain Zarqa water station feeding the city of Maarat al-Numan with drinking water…

Summary

Published
14 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3902

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Around dawn, a "rocket-propelled grenade attack" struck a cave on a farm near the town of Khan Sheikhoun, killing up to ten displaced civilians from Al Latamina whilst they were asleep. @SyrianCoalition blamed the Syrian regime for what it described as a massacre and claimed that two families were murdered, including two men, two women…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3903

Location

كفريا, Kafriya, Idlib, Syria
An alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike struck the village of Kafriya in the morning of July 13th, according to local sources. The strike led to the death of three civilians (and a fetus) who seem to be from the same family. A man, his child and a pregnant woman who were displaced were reported killed…

Summary

Published
13 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3899

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. At first, only a woman was reported killed and at least two civilians wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian shelled Kafar Zeita. In addition, Abdullah al-Aboud, a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense, was wounded while searching for survivors…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3900

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that a girl named as Huda Abdul Hamid al Abeid was killed as Russian or Syrian regime forces fired artillery shells on agricultural lands in al Zaka village in Hama on July 13th, 2019. According to Step News, others were injured as well. No additional details are known at this time.

Summary

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