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

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3751

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported the death of one civilian in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 4th. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Abdul Razzaq al Hamwiya. @yamanalbauosh tweeted a video saying the rocket used in the attack carried phosphorous, and @SYR_REV_NEWS said vacuum rockets were also used. While Smart News…

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

RS3752

Location

معرة الصين, Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Ma'arat Al Sin, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV tweeted that "one person was killed and others were wounded, as the regime's warplanes targeted the…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3753

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Fatira, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to a local source. An unknown number of civilians was reported injured. Step News Agency reported the death of one woman in airstrikes on Al Fatira, Idlib, June 4th. Step also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3754

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Naqir on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported one civilian death as the result of Russian and Syrian airstrikes on Al Naqir.@EdlibNN identified the victim as 51-year-old Trad Rizk Al Jumah, but other sources reported the man…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3755

Location

سفوهن, Safouhan, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Safouhan on June 4th, 2019, according to a local source. Step News reported that on the first day of Eid, a child was killed due to shelling on the village of Safouhan in the southern village of Idlib. However, none…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3748

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
At least three civilians were reported killed when an airstrike struck the popular market in the city of Ma'arat Al Nu'man south of Idlib in the morning of June 3rd, 2019. Local sources reported that the market was struck with at least three missiles, also described as "rocket-propelled grenades", although Smart News Agency claimed the…

Summary

Published
3 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident