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

11 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3785

Location

كفرعين, Kfarein, Idlib, Syria
Seven civilians including a woman were reported killed in airstrikes on Kfarein, Idlib, on June 11th. While the Local Coordination Committee for Syria reported "five martyrs and four wounded, including women and children" in the attack, Syria Civil Defense and Syria.liveuamap cited seven fatalities. Also reporting "at least five" fatalities, as "missiles were fired on…

Summary

Published
11 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3786

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
Two women were killed and an unknown number of other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on June 11th, 2019, according to local sources. Smart News reported that "two women were killed and others were wounded on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, by aerial bombardment…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3783

Location

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians, a mother and her three children, were reported killed and other civilians injured as a result of heavy artillery in Al Zirba, Aleppo, June 10th. Local sources said the victims belong to the same family. Syria Civil Defense stated that "a woman and her two children were killed in Al Zirba"…

Summary

Published
11 June 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3779

Location

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, Syria
One to five civilians were reported killed by airstrikes on Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, on June 10th. Both Shahba Press and Idlib Plus stated that of those initially killed, two were children, and one was a woman, and Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the death of "at least three civilians (a child, an unborn baby…

Summary

Published
10 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
30–47
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3780

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria
Thirteen civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Jbala, Idlib, June 10th. While multiple sources cited thirteen as the number of civilians killed, one source, Step News Agency reported four deaths initially. As understanding of the events unfolded, this same source later stated that death toll had risen to 12. While @abuhuzaifa_  alleged said that…

Summary

Published
10 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3781

Location

كفربطيخ, Kafar Batikh, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafar Batik, Idlib, June 10th. While two sources cite the death of one woman, multiple sources document the death of both a woman and her young child. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that an "infant, Malak Mohammad Hammadi, was killed along with her mother, Asmaa…

Summary

Published
10 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident