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

14 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3689

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
A man was killed and three other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Heesh, Idlib governorate, on May 14th, 2019, according to local sources. Justice Organisation wrote: "One person was killed and 3 people were wounded as a result of the shelling of the Russian warplanes and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3686

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latmina, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Ma'ardas town in Latamna on May 13th, 2019. Justice Organization reported that "The citizen Muhammad Ali Al-Jada'a was killed by Russian camp's artillery shelling, west of the town of Ma’rades, in the city of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3687

Location

كفر نبل, Kafar Nubul , Idlib, Syria
Two missiles struck the Syrian Civil Defense Center, destroying the building and damaging several vehicles, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "fixed-wing warplanes" believed to be Russian fired the missiles. The director of the Syrian Civil Defense forces was allegedly lightly wounded in the attack. Smart News posted a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3684

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians including a woman died and three others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to source on the ground. The Step New Agency pointed to Russia and put the death toll at one civilian. However, most other sources attributed the civilian harm to…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3685

Location

كفر نبل, Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians including a child and one or two women died and as many as 20 other civilians were wounded in shelling on Kafar Nabil, according to local media. Sources blamed surface-to-surface missiles, cluster bombs and rockets for the civilian harm and were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were to…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3681

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kfar Zeita, multiple local sources reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Loay Barazi was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Kfar Zeita city in Hama governorate northern suburbs, on May 10th."

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident