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

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3844

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Two volunteers for the Syria Civil Defense were reported killed, and four to five others injured, in the second of a "double tap" airstrike allegedly perpetrated by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces on the Al Beira neighborhood in the east of  Khan Sheikoun city, Idlib, Syria, on June 26th, 2019. The strike allegedly…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare (Ambulance)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3846

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that a missile struck near Martyr Wahid al Yousef Primary School in Kafr Sijnah village in Idlib, damaging the building and wounding one civilian. Youmyat rejal shora alleged: "Police officer Abd al-Rahman Hamdaoui, from the Kafr Sijnah al-Hurra police station, was wounded by the air raid of the regime, which targeted the…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3841

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Three children were reported injured when rocket launchers struck the city of Saraqib in Idlib. According to Shaam News, Russian and Syrian regime military aircrafts launched dozens of raids with heavy artillery shelling in the region that day. @nabdalthwra said Syrian regime warplanes targeted Saraqib without mentioning civilian harm. Step News and Abdulaziz Ketaz only…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3845

Location

المزارع المحيطة بمدينة ادلب,, farms surrounding the city Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported varying numbers of civilians were killed and wounded when airstrikes struck the outskirts of Idlib, Syria, on June 26, 2019. According to Macro Media, three civilians were killed in the raid. Shabab Al Latamina, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Ariha Today reported a higher death toll of four civilian fatalities. Syrian…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3842

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians including a child were reported killed in airstrikes on the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, on June 26th. Along with other sources citing similar figures, Syria.liveuamap stated that "two civilians were killed and others wounded on the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man as a result of the targeting of their homes by…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25–26 June, 2019

Incident Code

RS3840

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Shabab Al Latamina reported that two civilians were wounded in shelling in rural Idlib, near Khan Sheikhoun on June 25th. According to the source, "two wounded from the town of Al Latamina in artillery artillery shelling from the Russian camp on the perimeter of the city of Khan Sheikhoun." The source added that the following…

Summary

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