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

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3882

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Two people were wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the city of Ma’ret Al Nu’man South Idlib. Local reports did not specify whether the victims were civilians. @HadiAlabdallah said that the shelling led to rendering Ma'aret Al-Nu'man main hospital out of service. @Step_Agency said that Russian warplanes targeted the area with vacuum rockets.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3883

Location

بلدات متعددة في أدلب, Several town in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported that "12 civilians were killed and dozens were injured by airstrikes by Al Assad and the Russian military and helicopter gunships on the towns and villages of Idlib countryside". The source added that many of the wounded were injured in raids on the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhaon, Ma'arat Al…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3890

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that two or three civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Hama governorate, on July 10th, 2019. According to Zaitonmag, "the city of Saraqib was subjected to an airstrike targeting the eastern neighbourhoods of the city with two missiles, wounding three civilians." @mahmoudalbakor1 tweeted:…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3885

Location

Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Up to 10 civilians, including at least four children, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 10th, 2019. Around 10 civilians were injured. @AJArabic tweeted: "Six civilians were killed and 10 others were wounded, most of them women and children, by Russian-Syrian airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
9–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3891

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
A civilian male was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha, Idlib governorate, on July 10th, 2019, according to local sources. The strikes reportedly targeted a school. Zaitonmag wrote: "The warplanes bombed the city of Ariha, south of Idlib, and the bombing targeted civilian homes and a school, resulting in an injured…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3886

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Two to four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a camp for displaced people in Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, on July 10th. Syrian Network for Human Rights states that "Mahmoud Mohammad al Ali, a member of Civil Defense- Kafr Zita center - was killed along with his daughter Yasmin as…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident