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

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3901

Location

الجيسات, Al Jesat, Hama, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed and four others injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike. According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, they were killed in their place of work on agricultural land in the vicinity of Al Jesat. Syrian Network for Human Rights added that "Syrian regime forces fired Kornet missile…

Summary

Published
13 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3896

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck the cities of Idlib, Ma`ra al-Nu'man and Ariha in the north of Idlib, killing a combined total of six civilians including three children and two women and wounding up to 40. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime and reported that their warplanes fired…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
15–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3897

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians including two children were reported killed and up to eight others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces on Ma'aret Al-Nu'man on July 12th, 2019 according to local sources. One of the victims, a child, was identified as Ammar Muhammad Al-Hassoun, aged 12. Another source named him Ammar Mohammed Hassan Almshish. Alleged…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
7–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3898

Location

حي القصور, Al-Qusoor, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with four rockets struck the al-Qusoor neighborhood of Idlib, Syria the morning of July 12th, 2019 led to the death of up to two civilians including a child and inuring up to 12 others. Local sources said the attack hit an IDP shelter. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3895

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
A woman was killed when an explosive barrel was dropped from a helicopter. Shaam claimed the attack was carried out by a Russian or Syrian regime aircraft. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Mrs. Samiha Mahmoud Abdul Razzaq al Dahrouj, from al Latamena town in Hama governorate northwestern suburbs, age 51, was killed as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3894

Location

الكفير, Al Kafir, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed, and 19 to 27 injured in airstrikes on Al Kafir, Idlib, on July 11th. Jisr Media Center named 70-year old Omar Jabbu as killed in the attack, and  27 others who were wounded in the incident, including many children. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that "more than 19 people…

Summary

Published
11 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
19–27
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident