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

3 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3747

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
Multiple sources reported that one civilian was killed in Heesh, Idlib, on June 3rd. Three sources named the victim of the airstrikes as Abdel Qadir al-Salloum. Syrian Network for Human Rights and other sources claimed that "missiles were fired near Martyr Fajr al Ismail School", with this source also reporting that the airstrikes "destroyed the school’s…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3749

Location

العنكاوي, Al Ankawi, Hama, Syria
A man was reported killed when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly struck Al-Ankawi village in Sahl al-Ghab northwest of Ham with heavy artillery and rocket shelling. According to Shaam News, "the rebels targeted the positions of the Assad forces at Hama military airport with Grad missiles in response to the shelling of civilians in…

Summary

Published
3 June 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3744

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed and seven others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Bara on June 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV reported that "a civilian was killed and others were wounded due to the regime air forces' shelling in the town of Al Bara, south of…

Summary

Published
2 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3745

Location

كفرلاته, Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Lata, Idlib, on June 2nd, 2020, according to local sources. Two other civilians were injured. Several sources reported civilian casualties as the result of airstrikes on Kafar Lata. The Syrian Civil Defence, among other sources, reported one civilian death. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
2 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

Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3746

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
Two civilians including a woman were reported killed and another woman injured in artillery shelling or airstrikes on Al-Zakat in Hama on June 2nd, 2019. Shaam News reported the death of two civilians in airstrikes on Al Zakat, Hama, June 2nd. The two victims were identified as Dia'a Muhammad Al-Essi and Asia Al-Saleh. The injured woman…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3743

Location

الأربعين, Al Arba’een, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Al Arba’een, Hama, on June 2nd. The victim was identified as Youssef Khaled Al-Ali Al-Mubarak.  While Smart News claimed that "two civilians were wounded in by a missile attack", Shaam news and @so_ria98 reported one fatality in the airstrike. Shaam News made reference to…

Summary

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