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

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3815

Location

بنين, Benin, Idlib, Syria
In what local sources described as a "massacre", up to 13 civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Benin on June 19th, 2019. Multiple sources reported that more than 10 civilians were wounded. Step News and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that at least seven civilians were killed and…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3816

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed when Syrian and Russian airstrikes allegedly struck the village of Kansafra on June 19th. Syrian Civil Defense forces who were present at the scene reported that missiles struck the village in the evening, killing thee civilians including a pregnant woman and wounding 14 others of whom five were women…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3810

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
A civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Zeita, Hama governorate, on June 18th, 2019, according to local sources. In addition, an unknown number of civilians was reported injured. According to Shaam News Network, "Russian warplanes launched air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and missile bombardment on the towns and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3811

Location

المنطقة الصناعية, Industry zone (Al Mantiq Al Sina’iya), Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and two to eight civilians, including at least one child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the industrial zone Al Mantiq Al Sina’iya, in the vicinity of Idlib, on June 18th, 2019, according to local sources. @syr_television reported that "one person was killed and three others…

Summary

Published
18 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3812

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
A civilian was reported killed in the explosion of a remnant from an alleged Russian or Syrian regime fired cluster munition in Al-Lataminah, Hama, on June 18th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear when the airstrike firing the munition took place. @HalabTodayTV correspondent reported that "a civilian was killed due to the explosion…

Summary

Published
18 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18–19 June, 2019

Incident Code

RS3813

Location

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in the shelling of Tarmala, Idlib. Most sources reported the incident occurred on June 19th, while Syrian Network for Human Rights reported it occurred on June 18th instead. Idlib Plus named the victim of the attack as "Ahmed Nouri Al Da’our." Syrian Observatory for Human rights stated…

Summary

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