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

7 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3767

Location

بابولين, Babulin, Idlib, Syria
Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Babulin, Idlib, June 7th. While Idlib Plus alleges the death of one civilian, multiple other sources refer to the death of two to three civilians, as well as the injuring of a "number" of others. Syria Civil Defense stated that of those killed, two were…

Summary

Published
7 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
9–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3766

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama, on June 7th. Smart News reported that "local activists told "Smart" that a civilian, working as a teacher of the French language, was killed as a result of the aerial bombardment of Kfar Zeita." Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3765

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
One to five civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 6th. While Shaam News reported that one child had been killed in airstrikes, Syria Civil Defense stated that "five civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of the intensive shelling of the residential neighborhoods of Khan Sheikhoun…

Summary

Published
6 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3764

Location

الهبيط, Al-Habit, Idlib, Syria
One source reported the injury of a member of Syrian Civil Defense in airstrikes on Madaya, Idlib, June 6th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Ahmad Dab’an, a member of Syria Civil Defense was injured in his foot as warplanes, we believe were Russian, fired missiles in Madaya village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on June…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3762

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians including a woman and two children from the same family were reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on June 5th. Local sources stated that of those killed, two were children, and one was a woman, and a later source reports the death of a man, in addition…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3763

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar A’waid, Idlib, Syria
According to local sources, five civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019. 10 others, including four children, were reportedly wounded. Local sources reported that in the morning of June 5th, Russian and Syrian regime forces fired…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident