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

23 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3838

Location

كفربطيخ, Kafar Batikh, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians (a child and two women or two children and a woman) were wounded by a cluster bomb in an airstrike on the village of Kafar Batikh, according to local sources. @alhariri58  tweeted that three raids with vacuum and cluster rockets targeted the area. Both Russian and Syrian regime forces were blamed for the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3839

Location

جوزف, Jozef, Idlib, Syria
Two to six civilians were reported killed, and four to five injured, in airstrikes on Jozef, Idlib, on June 23rd. Smart news alleged that the "aerial bombardment" killed four civilians, and wounded "four others from the same family", while stating that "two of its members are still missing and trapped under the rubble." Meanwhile, the…

Summary

Published
23 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3837

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
An airstrike local sources believed to be Russian struck a residential neighborhood in Saraqib. According to the Syrian Civil Defense forces who were at the scene, four high-explosive missiles struck a house and killed a family of five, including two women and two children. The source claimed seven other civilians were wounded, including two children.…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3833

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in an airstrike on Kansafra, Idlib, on June 22nd. According to Step News, "a number of civilians were killed and injured on Saturday as a result of renewed aerial bombardment of the southern countryside of Idlib," including "the killing of a civilian in the town of Kansafra"-  listed among other locations…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3834

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Two children, twin brothers, were killed in an airstrike conducted by either the Russian or Syrian regime forces in Ma'aret al-Nu'man, according to local sources. Up to six other civilians, including at least one child, were reportedly wounded. Orient News said: "Two dead as a result of an air strike by the Russian occupation on…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Commerce (Shop)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3832

Location

تل ملح, Tel Melh, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in artillery shelling in Tal Melh, Hama, on June 22nd. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Ahmad Ibrahim al Hmoud. Although Step News alleged the death of one civilian in one tweet, naming the Syrian regime as the responsible belligerent, another report by Step News regarding…

Summary

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