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

RS3738

Location

الأتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Atareb, 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 village…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3733

Location

بنين, Benin, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and his child was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the road between the village of Benin and Al Dana district on May 31st, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "Marwan Hussein al Ali, who was displaced from Eqerbat town in Hama…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3734

Location

الزيادية, Al Ziyadiya, Idlib, Syria
Three men were killed and up to six others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Ziyadiya, Idlib governorate, on May 31st, 2019, according to local sources. The village of Ziyadiya was struck by artillery shelling believed to have been carried out by the Syrian regime forces from…

Summary

Published
31 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3735

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar Awaid, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and two volunteers for the Syrian Civil Defense were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime double airstrikes on the village of Kafar Awaid in the area of ​​Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 31st, 2019. @HalabTodayTV reported that "a civilian was killed and others were wounded as a…

Summary

Published
31 May 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

30 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3731

Location

كفروما, Kfarouma, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kfarouma, Idlib, May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. Step News and Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that a father and a daughter had died in the bombardment. Meanwhile, Local Coordination Committee for Syria only referred…

Summary

Published
30 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3732

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians, including at least two children, were killed and up to ten more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCivilDefe) reported that "five martyrs elevated and 10 others were injured, trapped under…

Summary

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