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

30 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3855

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and several others injured as a result of an airstrike on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 30th. Ariha Today stated that "Russian warplanes launched air raids on the town of Khan Sheikhoun and the town of #Kafr Sijnah in the southern countryside of Idlib, causing the fall of a civilian…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2019

Incident Codes

CS1921 RS3856

Location

ريف المهندسين الأول, Rif Al Mouhandessen Al Awal, Aleppo, Syria
A confirmed Coalition strike with high-explosive missiles against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on the afternoon of June 30th is also locally reported to have injured at least two children and two women, and killed a number of foreign AQ-linked fighters. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the strike was carried…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–11
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military actors reported killed
3–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3857

Location

العامرية, Al Amiriya, Idlib, Syria
Two children were reported killed and six others including three children injured in airstrikes on Al Amiriya, Idlib, on June 30th. @HalabTodayTV reported the use of cluster bombs in the airstrike on the village. While Syrian network for Human Rights referred to the children killed as two siblings, Shabab Al Latamina documented the martyrdom of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3853

Location

مشون, Mashoun, Idlib, Syria
One woman reportedly died as a result of a heart attack following an airstrike on her home in Mashoun, Idlib, on June 29th. Shaam News reported that "Russian and Assad planes launched heavy and violent air raids on [a number of] cities and towns" on June 29th, leading to the injury of civilians in Mashoun.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3854

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
One child was reported injured in the explosion of a remnant of a cluster munition in Hayyan, Aleppo, on June 29th. Step News agency alleged that "a child was seriously injured by a cluster bomb left behind by a former Russian military attack on the town of Hayyan, north of Aleppo." Shaam News claimed that he…

Summary

Published
29 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3849

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians was reported killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on June 27th. Significant damage to property was reported as a result of the incident. Syria Civil Defense alleged "three air strikes targeting the town of Ma'arat al-Nu'man in the village of Idlib, resulting in the…

Summary

Published
27 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident