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

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3861

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
A single source reported three civilians killed, and six injured, in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on July 2nd. According to Syrian Coalition News, "three civilians were killed and six others, including three children and a woman, were wounded in the attack on the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province by the regime's…

Summary

Published
2 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3862

Location

معرة حرمة أو معرتحرمة, Ma’arat Harma, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’arat Harma, Idlib governorate, on July 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other civilian was wounded. @AleppoAMC tweeted that "a civilian was killed in an airstrike on the town of Ma'arat Harma in the southern…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3863

Location

مدايا, Madaya, Idlib, Syria
Seven to 30 people were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Madaya, Idlib governorate, on July 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. Sources are conflicted about the number of civilians among the victims. While Step News Agency reported "news of a massacre of civilians in the town of…

Summary

Published
2 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–30
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military actors reported killed
7–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3860

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported injured, including a child, in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on July 2nd. Syrian Coalition News stated that "activists said that three people were injured, including a child, this morning in the bombing of Maarat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib", and named Russian forces and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3859

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 1st. IdlibPlus alleged "two martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of the targeting of Russian warplanes in the city of Khan Sheikhoun," while Syria Civil Defense documented the death of three civilians in the attack. Meanwhile, Syrian…

Summary

Published
1 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3858

Location

معرة حرمة أو معرتحرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in an airstrike on Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, on July 1st. According to Step News, "three people were killed as a result of injuries following Russian raids targeting the town of Ma’aret Harma south of Idlib." @abuhuzaifa_ stated that two of those killed were Abdullah Mohammed…

Summary

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