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

RS3722

Location

سفوهن, Sufwhan, Idlib, Syria
A man and two women were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sufwhen, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five civilians, including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer, were reportedly injured. Shahba Press claimed that one woman had been killed and an unknown number of others were injured…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3715

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Three to eleven civilians were killed in an airstrike on Ariha on May 27th. According to numerous sources, of those killed, two to four were children, including three siblings. The Syrian regime was named by multiple sources as responsible for the attack, while many did not positively attribute blame. Russia was named by six sources…

Summary

Published
27 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
20–28
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3716

Location

حزارين, Hezarin, Idlib, Syria
Two to seven civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Hezarin, Idlib, May 27th. Shahba News initially claimed that three were killed in the strikes from the same family, including one child, later reporting six deaths and "dozens wounded". Edlib Media Center initially reported two killed, yet also stated that the figure rose to six…

Summary

Published
27 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3717

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’arat Harma, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Harma, Hama governorate, on May 27th, 2019, according to local sources. Another civilian was reportedly injured. Smart News wrote that "on May 27th, warplanes bombed the town of Ma'arat Harma, near Idlib, with explosive barrels and naval mines, causing destruction of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3708

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama, on May 26th. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Khaled Mustafa Ulwan al Faraj. Two sources attributed the strike to the Syrian regime, while Step News Agency did not positively attribute blame, and Halab Today TV named Russia as the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3709

Location

الشيخ مصطفى, Al Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, Syria
Step Agency and Smart News reported that one civilian was killed in air raids on the village of Al Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, on May 26th. Step News agency attributed the attack to Russia, initially reporting that "several people were injured" in the "Russian raids" that "coincided with a rocket attack". In a later post, Step…

Summary

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