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

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3850

Location

الحواش, Al Hawash, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Hawash, Hama, on June 27th. Syria Civil Defense alleged that on June 27th there were "seven martyrs and 32 wounded, as a result of the continuous bombardment by the regime forces and its Russian ally" on June 27th, including "two civilians…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3847

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Russian or Syrian regime warplanes allegedly fired missiles at the city of Kafar Zeita in Hama, wounding three people. The Civil Defense Hama said: "Targeting residential neighborhoods in the city of Kafr Zita with two raids by warplanes, which resulted in the injury of 3 persons of varying degrees." Shabab Al Latamina reported the same…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3848

Location

سفوهن, Sfwhen, Idlib, Syria
Local sources claimed that a man was killed and others wounded in Sfwhen when Syrian regime and Russian forces bombed the region. JisrTV and Hahem Almosa accused the Syrian regime, while the Civil Defence reported both Russian and regime strikes in the area.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3851

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
One woman was killed and up to three of her family member injured in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 27th. Baladi News reported that "A woman was martyred and a young man was wounded in the town of Kafr Sijnah by an air raid by Russian warplanes targeting the town." Masar Press wrote:…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3852

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Al Bara, Idlib, on June 27th. According to Syria Civil Defense, "three civilians, including a woman, were killed and eight others were wounded in the town of Al Bara in the village of Idlib." @SyrianCoalition also reported "three martyrs - two men and a woman -…

Summary

Published
27 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3843

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
In the second of two strikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on June 26th, two member of the White Helmets were reported killed and up to four more injured. The strike allegedly came preceding another airstrike which, according to Idlib Plus, "targeted the Syria civil defense team while trying to aid those wounded" in the initial…

Summary

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