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

7 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3875

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria
Up to twelve civilians including at least six from the same family were reported killed in artillery shelling on Qastoun, Hama, on July 7th. The family members killed were originally from Al-Badriya village, and were killed while working in the agricultural lands between Qastoun and Badriya. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least…

Summary

Published
7 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3874

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Two to eight civilians were reported wounded in an airstrike on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 7th. Khansheikoun Lens reported that "four men, three women and one girl were injured in four air strikes by Russian warplanes targeting the residential neighborhoods of Khan Sheikhoun." Smart News initially reported that two were wounded in the strike,…

Summary

Published
7 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3873

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
Three civilians from one family, including an infant, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Morek, Hama governorate, on July 6th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "three civilians (a girl and her parents), were killed while grazing sheep as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
6 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3872

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
Up to 18 civilians, including at least nine children and four women, were reportedly killed, and 20 others injured, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mhambel, Idlib, on July 5th, 2019. Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that "at least 16 civilians, including ten children and four women, were killed in an intensive…

Summary

Published
5 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
16–18
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3871

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in the vicinity of the city of Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 5th, 2018, according to Edlib Media Center. EMC reported "two civilian casualties as a result of the targeting of the Russian occupation aircraft around the city of Jisr Al Shughour in the…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3868

Location

كنصفرة, Vicinity of Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that a child was killed and his father and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kansafra, Idlib governorate, around noon on July 4th, 2019. The Syrian Civil Defense was at the scene and reported that the village was struck with an explosive missile. According to the Syrian…

Summary

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