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

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3835

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
A child was allegedly wounded by Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling on the town of Al-Lataminah in Hama from the camp of South Halfaya. Halab Today TV reported: "A child was injured by artillery shelling from the Russian camp on the city of Al-Lataminah in the northern Hama countryside." The source added in a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3836

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al Subul, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Al Subul, Idlib, on June 22nd. Macro Media Centre and Syria.liveuamap alleged that "one civilian was killed and three others wounded in air raids on the city of Khan Al Subul", while Edlib Media Centre initially reported that "a man and a woman were injured when a military aircraft…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3830

Location

ريف المهندسين الثاني, Rif Al Muhandisin Al Thani, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians including a little girl were killed when airstrikes struck Rif Al Muhandisin Al Thani, in the countryside of west of Aleppo on June 21st, 2019. Syrian Human Rights Commission named the girl killed as Aya al-Satouf. Up to eight civilians were also allegedly wounded, including children. According to Step News, the civilians were…

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
6–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3828

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
A woman was reported killed  when alleged Russian and Syrian regime air raids reportedly struck Kfar Zeita on June 21st, 2019. A woman was also reported killed in Kfar Zeita on June 20th, 2019. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3831

Location

الفوج 46, Regiment 46, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in Regiment 46, Aleppo, on June 21st. Baladi network said "Two martyred in an initial toll, and a number of wounded, due to bombing on the Regiment 46 in the western countryside of Aleppo, Syria." @so_ria98 alleged the death of four civilians "and a number of wounded, including children" in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3829

Location

الزقوم, Al Zakkoum, Hama, Syria
According to local sources, a Russian airstrike killed two in the village of Al Zakkoum and injured eight others. The two killed are originally from Kansafra according to local sources. While Shaam News referred to martyrs, without making clear the status of those killed, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that  "two members of the…

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–6
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident