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

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3739

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the town of Kfar Zeita, Hama governorate, on June 1st, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported "civilian casualties following intensive Russian and Syrian regime raids on the town of Kfar Zeita in rural…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3740

Location

فليفل, Falifal, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Falifal, Idlib governorate, on June 1st, 2019, according to local sources. @MasarPressNet tweeted that "a woman was martyred and several civilians were wounded due to airstrikes on the village of Falifal in…

Summary

Published
1 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

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3741

Location

ايكاردا, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) , Aleppo, Syria
Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) near Aleppo on June 1st, 2019, according to local sources. Al Jazeera wrote that "opposition sources said that Russian and Syrian aircraft targeted the city of Atarib, the village of Barqoum and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3742

Location

شيخ دامس, Sheikh Dames, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Dames on June 1st, 2019, according to local sources. Up to four others, including a child, were reportedly injured. @ShahbaPress reported "a martyr and four wounded civilians, including a child, in airstrikes on Sheikh Damis village near the city of Khan…

Summary

Published
1 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3736

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed and another one was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib on June 1st, 2019. The wounded man reportedly died from his injuries sustained in the attack the following day. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights initially reported that two civilians…

Summary

Published
1 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3737

Location

برقوم, Barqoum, Aleppo, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Barqoum, Aleppo governorate, on June 1st, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam News Network reported that "Russian and Assad's warplanes launched airstrikes targeting the town of Al Atareb in the western countryside and the…

Summary

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