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

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3758

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
A woman was reported killed in Morek and others injured, when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly fired rockets and heavy artillery shells. The victim was named by local sources as Sa'adiya Qattash. They also said that the shelling originated from Al Kabariya camp. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3759

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that in a night-time rocket attack on the town of Kafar Nabil near Idlib, more than 15 surface-to-surface missiles and rocket launchers were fired from the positions of Russia and the regime forces north of Hama province, causing fires in the city. Smart News initially claimed that five civilians were wounded, while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3760

Location

جدار الخضر, Jidar Al Khoudur, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that five civilians were injured in airstrikes on Jidar Al Khoudur, Idlib, on June 5th. Both sources attributed the attack to Russia and stated that four children and one woman were wounded in the airstrikes. Edlib Media Center reported "five wounded, including four children and a woman, after the Russian occupation aircraft…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3761

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
One  source claimed that during the night on June 5th, "three civilians were killed and wounded" by the Russian and Syrian regime forces in an attack on a number of cities, including Kafr Sijnah. The source did not specify where the civilians were killed and wounded. The other sources said that Kafrsajna was targeted with…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3750

Location

ديرسنبل, Deir Sunbul, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out a series of airstrikes using rockets and heavy artillery shells on several cities, killing one child in Deir Sunbul and injuring other civilians. The source claimed that the rockets used were loaded with phosphorus. The victim child…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3756

Location

الفقيع, Al Faqi', Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed and an unknown number of others was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Faqi', Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. @MasarPressNet tweeted: "A civilian was martyred in air strikes by Assad's forces on the town of Al Faqi' in…

Summary

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