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

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3798

Location

ديرسنبل, Deir Sinbol, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed and a child wounded in Deir Sinbol when, according to Smart News, Russian warplanes shelled the village. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed "Syrian regime fixed-wingwarplanes" instead. Some sources said vacuum missiles were used in this attack, allegedly by the Syrian regime. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3802

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira , Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Al Fatira, Idlib, on June 15th. Two sources claimed that three civilians had perished in the attack, with Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stating that two of these were women, and Smart News alleging the death of a child. Meanwhile, other sources referred to two civilians slain,…

Summary

Published
15 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3803

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
36.643567Deaths and injuries among civilians were reported in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 15th. Smart News stated that "a civilian was wounded by an aerial bombardment of warplanes in the town of Heesh, south of Idlib." Furthermore, Syrian Network for Human Rights claimed that "Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles near the building of local council…

Summary

Published
15 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

RS3804

Location

حصرايا, Hasraya, Hama, Syria
A single source reported "victims" in an airstrike on Hasraya, Hama, on June 15th. Another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Although victims are reported by Smart News in the "aerial bombardment", no other information is known at this time with regard to how many…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3805

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
A single source reported "victims" in an airstrike on Kfar Zeita, Hama, on June 15th. Another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Although victims are reported by Smart News in the "aerial bombardment", no other information is known at this time with regard to how…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3799

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria
While one source reported "victims" in airstrikes on Al Zakat and other locations in Hama, on June 15th, another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Shaam News names both Russia and the Syrian regime in the reporting of the event, while Smart News does not…

Summary

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