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

11 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3892

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latmina, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that a civilian male was killed in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on Al Latamina, Hama governorate, on July 11th, 2019. Reportedly, the man's pregnant wife and two children were injured. Others reported that as many as seven civilians were wounded. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Mohammad Musa…

Summary

Published
11 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3893

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Civilian homes and shops in the Al Shamali neighbourhood of the city of Jisr Al Shaghour, Idlib governorate, were struck by alleged Russian or Syrian missiles in what was described "a massacre", killing up to eight civilians and wounding at least 14, According to Edlib Media Center, at least three people were killed in the…

Summary

Published
11 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
14–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3884

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
A civilian was wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling on the  city of Morek in northern Hama, according to local sources. @liongeneral19, a pro regime source tweeted, "Artillery men are raining terrorist positions now in Morek, Tal Malah, Ar-Arbaeen, al-Jibbe, Al-Jaysat, and Tal Al-Sakhar in the northern and northwestern Hama countryside." However,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3887

Location

مرديخ أو تل مرديخ, Mardikh or Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Tal Mardikh, Idlib, on July 10th. ShahbaPress tweeted "two killed, and wounded civilians, in air raids on the town of Tal Mardikh in countryside of # Idlib South." @SyrianCoaltion stated that "at least two people were killed in the town of Tal Mardikh in countryside…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3888

Location

كفرومة, Kafar Rouma, Idlib, Syria
Two women were killed in an alleged Syrian or Russian strike with explosive barrels on Kafar Rouma, south of Idlib, according to local sources. Dozens were reported injured. According to Shaam News, Syrian and Russian "military and helicopter gunships" carried out attacks on a number of towns and villages in Idlib countryside that day. Syrian…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3889

Location

كنيسة نخلة, Kniset Nakhla (Nakhla church), Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were injured in airstrikes on Kaniset Nakhla, Idlib, on July 10th. According to this source, Step News, "two civilians were injured as a result of the bombardment of the helicopter, which targeted the village of Kniset Nakhla (Nakhla Church), east of Jisr al-Shughour city." Step News wrote that "two helicopters belonging to the…

Summary

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