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

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3730

Location

الهبيط, Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
At least three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. @NagiNajjar reported that "three civilian men were martyred as a result of an airstrike by the warplanes of the Assad forces on the outskirts of the town…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3728

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
At least seven civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Sarja, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. At least 10 others were reported injured. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCiviDefe) wrote on Twitter that "seven civilians, including five women and a child, were…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3727

Location

مصيبين, Masibin, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Masabin, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Shaam News, "the Russian Air Force and the Syrian Air Force carried out very heavy air raids and shelling" in a number of locations, leading to the deaths of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3729

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
A man and his two young children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara town in the Jabal al Zaweya area in Idlib on May 29th, according to local sources. The wife of the victim died of her injuries sustained in the attack on June 2nd. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3726

Location

كفر حلب, Kafar Halab, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 11 civilians, including three children and two women, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Halab on May 28th, 2019, according to sources on the ground. 17 others were reportedly injured. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–11
Civilians reported injured
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3723

Location

احسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria
At least three children of the same family were killed and several civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The death toll was later updated to six civilians. Many sources reported that three children were killed from the same family in the…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident