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

25 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3707

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Fattira, Idlib governorate, on May 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured. The Syrian Civil Defense, Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a woman was killed in…

Summary

Published
25 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

24 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3704

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians, including two children, were reported killed in several airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib, on May 24th. While Shahd is the only named fatality in a number of sources, the Syrian Network for Human rights claimed that "Shahd Jamal al Farhat was killed along with one of her family members,…

Summary

Published
24 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3702

Location

مصيبين, Msibein, Idlib, Syria
Multiples sources reported that a man and his child were killed in airstrikes on Msibein, Idlib, on May 24th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights named those killed as Ahmad Abdul Wahed Takko, and his daughter Aseel. Step News Agency and Mohamed al Hmady reported that Russia was responsible for the airstrikes, while many other sources…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3705

Location

الهبيط, Habeet, Idlib, Syria
Two sources reported alleged Russian airstrikes on Harbeet village in Idlib on May 24th. Syrian Network for Human Rights claimed that two media workers were injured in the airstrikes. The source stated that Mustafa al Khalaf and Mustafa Dahnoun, reporters of Syria TV and al Jisr TV respectively, were injured in "intensive bombing on the…

Summary

Published
24 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3703

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Residential neighbourhoods of Kafr Nabl were subject to a number of airstrikes on May 24th, leading to the death of one child, named Ahmad Mahmoud Salah al-Satam, according to local media. With a number of sources referring to "others wounded", Smart News claimed that the rest of Ahmad's family were hospitalised as a result of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3699

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Idlib Plus tweeted: "A video showing the moment the shelling of houses of civilians on the outskirts of the town of Maara Harema in a Russian  air raid." Also @MasarPressNet  tweeted "Civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes on the towns of Ma’aret Harma and Kafr Sujnah in the southern countryside." More details to follow.…

Summary

Published
23 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident