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

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3724

Location

Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria
A mother and child were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrikes on Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. A number of sources stated that two civilians had been killed in the strike, whereas Step News Agency reported only one fatality. A…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3725

Location

Khan Al Subul, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians, including two children, were killed and at least 12 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Khan Al Sabin, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. In what Shahba Press referred to as "heavy air raids", Syria Civil Defense claimed that…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3718

Location

خان العسل, Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed and others injured in a Russian airstrike on the town of Khan al-Asal countryside, West Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. Some of the local sources said that airstrike targeted a mosque there. @NagiNajjar tweeted "two martyrs, after an airstrike that targeted a mosque in the town of Khan al-Asal in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3719

Location

البوابية, Al Bawabia, Aleppo, Syria
A civilian was reported killed and eight others injured when an airstrike struck the village of Al Bawabia and a section of the Damascus-Aleppo international road in the morning of May 28th. The images shared by the Syrian Civil Defense shows that the victim is a man. The airstrike destroyed a civilian property and burned…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3720

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
A woman was reported killed and a child injured in an airstrike on several residential buildings on the outskirts of the city of Al Atareb west of Aleppo, according to local sources. The woman was identified as Mariam Bakkour. Step News reported that a woman was killed and a child injured in what it believed…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3721

Location

حزارين, Hezarin, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that Russian and Syrian warplanes launched raids striking several towns, including Hazarin where two children were allegedly killed. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident