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

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3809

Location

Several towns and villages in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported a number of airstrikes on a number of locations in Idlib on June 16th, citing "many wounded, including women and children." According to this source, "the Russian military and Assad regime carried out air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and shelling, targeting the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhun, Kifroma, Ma'arah al-Nu'man,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3806

Location

كرسعة, Karsa’a, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed, and "others wounded", in airstrikes on Karsa’a, Idlib, on June 16th. Syrian network for Human Rights names Ahmad Adnan al Ali as the victim of the attack. Three sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while Shaam News referred to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3807

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
36.643567Two children and a woman were reported wounded in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 16th. While four sources referred to "a number wounded", or "many wounded", in the attack - - cited as "mainly children" - both Local Coordination Committee for Syria and Edlib Media Center, quantified those injured as two children and a…

Summary

Published
16 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3808

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria
One women was reported killed in an airstrike on Al Zakat, Hama, on June 16th. She was named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as Isaaf Al-Faraj. Two sources claimed the death of one woman, and Step News Agency also alleged the wounding of "others" in the attack. Meanwhile, Shaam News reported on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3800

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
At least three civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike with three rockets on civilian homes in the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man south of Idlib. Smart News blamed the Syrian regime and added that 13 others were wounded in addition to causing destruction to homes and property. Some sources said the airstrikes resulted in the breaking…

Summary

Published
15 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3801

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians, including three children and up to two women, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, Idlib governorate, on June 15th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to 11 other civilians were reportedly injured. The Local Coordination Committee Syria reported that two children were killed in the raid in…

Summary

Published
15 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident