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

23 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3700

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died in alleged Russia or regime raids on Kafr Sajna, local media reported. According to Ariha Today, "a man and a woman were killed and four other civilians were injured in the town of # Kafarsjana in the southern countryside of Idlib as a result of raids by Russian warplanes" But Idlib Media Centre…

Summary

Published
23 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3701

Location

كفر نبل, Kafr Nubul, Idlib, Syria
A number of civilians including children and women were killed and injured in Russian forces and/or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Kafr Nubul on May 23rd, 2019, according to local sources. In one news SMART reported that "two civilians were wounded by a rocket attack on the town of  Kafr Nubul south of Idlib from…

Summary

Published
23 May 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3697

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
On May 22, 2019, two named civilians died and nine more - including a child and several members of the White Helmets - were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour in Syria, local media reported. According to the White Helmets, this was a "double tap" raid - as members…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education (Secondary School)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3698

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
In what was widely reported as regime airstrikes , three or four civilians including a child died and up to 20 more were wounded in Saraqeb on May 22nd, 2019. However, one source - Mohammed Galul - reported that Russia were also carrying out raids in the town. Mohamd Aslan joined the Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21–22 May, 2019

Incident Code

RS3696

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, between nine and 12 civilians including a child died and up to 50 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat al Numan, according to sources on the ground. Eight of those killed were identified, and the ninth one was identified…

Summary

Published
21 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
15–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3694

Location

حيان, Hayan, Aleppo, Syria
Smart News reported that one child was injured in Hayan, Aleppo, in the explosion of a remnant of a cluster bomb on May 19th, 2019. The source stated that the remnant was the product of a previous "aerial bombardment by Russian warplanes". A local source quoted by Smart News stated that the cluster bomb remnant…

Summary

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