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

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3869

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Kafar Nabil as more than 10 aircrafts of the Syrian and Russian forces alternated bombing with explosive barrels and cluster missiles. According to Edlib Media Center, the child was killed and others injured as cluster rockets struck a residential neighborhood. Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3865

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed and others injured, when alleged Russian airstrikes struck the outskirts of Al-Bara. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "the Russian warplanes carried out raids on places on the outskirts of al-Bara and Kansafra in Jabal al-Zawiyah south of Idlib, which killed a child and injured others". Local Coordination Committee…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3864

Location

بانص, Banss, Aleppo, Syria
Smart News Agency reported that two civilians were wounded in the explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb from a previous Russian forces and Syrian regime bombing in Banss, 55 km south of Aleppo, Syria on July 4th, 2018. Also @24Aleppo tweeted that "two people were injured due to the explosion of a cluster bombs…

Summary

Published
4 July 2018
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3870

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
One girl was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, July 4th. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "the girl Hanaa Jamal al Sheikh Najib was killed as Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Hass village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 4th." Meanwhile other sources alleged "others injured", with Syrian…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3866

Location

حزارين, Hazarin, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Hazarin south of Idlib. @IdlibPlus reported on resulting in "civilian casualties", but did not provide any further details. No further details are available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3867

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 4th. Macro Media Center alleged that "two civilians were killed, and another wounded, in Khan Sheikhoun city after being targeted by three fighter jets", attributing the attack to the Syrian regime. Another source, @ANews_Arabic, referred to the death of "four civilians, including two…

Summary

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