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

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3824

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
Two children from the same family were reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 20th. Idlib Plus named those victim to the attack as Mustafa Al Ali and Abdo Al Ali. Smart news reported that "two children were killed and four civilians were wounded by an aerial bombardment of warplanes…

Summary

Published
20 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3825

Location

العامرية, Al Amiriya, Idlib, Syria
One woman was reported killed on airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling on Al Amiriya, Idlib, on June 20th. Idlib Plus named the women victim to the attack as Hala Abd Al Qader Hassoun. However, other sources mentioned that the victim is a child. Step Agency reported that "a military air raid on Amiriya north of Khan Sheikhoun…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3826

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and two others injured in an airstrike on Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, on June 20th. Syria Civil Defense reported that "the town of Ma'ra Misrin, in the countryside of Idlib, was targeted by missiles from the military aircraft of the regime forces, which led to the martyrdom of a man and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3817

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, Hama governorate, on June 19th, 2019. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, "four were killed by aerial bombardment of Al-Lataminah" - a figure also cited by Shaam News. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that "Ra’fat Kallal al Saleh al Hamada was killed…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3818

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’aret Harma on June 19th, 2019, according to local sources. @nabdalthwra reported that "a civilian was wounded as a result of the Assad warplanes targeting the town of Ma’aret Harma in the southern countryside of Idlib." Other…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3814

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
At least one woman was wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck a bakery in the town of Saraqib on June 19th, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported: "Civilian casualties following air raids on a bakery in the town of Saraqib in the eastern countryside of Idlib." Edlib Media Center reported that…

Summary

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