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

9–10 June, 2019

Incident Code

RS3776

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Three to four civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib on June 10th. Though some sources said the airstrike happened at the dawn, others said in the evening. Three of the victims are named as Mustafa Sayyadi, Ibrahim Sayyadi and Khaled Marati. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights named the three mentioning Khaled…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
3–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3773

Location

كفرلاتا, Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria
A man was reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Kafar Lata, Idlib governorate, on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib reported that "a man was wounded in the village of Kafar Lata, as a result of an airstrike targeting the outskirts of the village",…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3771

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria
A civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Zakat on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV's correspondent reported: "Russian airstrikes target the cities of Kafr Zita and Murak and the villages of Zakat and Arba'in in the northern Hama countryside." Smart News Agency claimed that "a man…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3770

Location

Several towns in Idlib countryside, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported a number of alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on several towns and villages in Idlib governorate on June 8th, 2019. Possibly, civilians were injured. According to Shaam News Network, "Syrian regime and Russian military aircraft and helicopter gunships conducted dozens of air raids, accompanied with heavy artillery shelling,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3768

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib, June 8th. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one civilian killed in the attack, and named him as Khaled Ahmad al Hmaido. Later it was reported that a woman named Khaldiya Al-Battal died of her wounds as results of the same airstrike. Listing a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3769

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed and up to three women were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on civilian homes in the outskirts of Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib governorate, on June 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported "the death of a child and the wounding of three women as a…

Summary

Published
8 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident