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

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3682

Location

معرة الصين, Ma’aret Al Seen, Hama, Syria
Two brothers and their mother died in an airstrike on Ma’aret Al Seen, according to local media. Local Coordination Committees of Syria attributed the three deaths to Russia. However, a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported "The children brothers Mohammad and Nasr al…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3683

Location

كفرنبوده, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "Karmo al Abado, from Kafr Nbouda town in Hama governorate northwestern suburbs, was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Mazarea Qerata area in north of Kafr Nbouda town, on May 10." However, Bawaba Hama said that a civilian also was wounded identified…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3680

Location

جوزف, Jozef, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jozef, Hama governorate, on May 9th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Al Araby, "The Edlib Media Center said that two civilians were killed at dawn today [May 9th], and others were injured, as a result of the targeting by Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
9 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

8 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3677

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Hama, Syria
Up to four civilians, including a child, were killed and at least 11 civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Hama governorate, on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Several sources reported that a total of three civilians were killed, including the Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
11–26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3678

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
A young civilian male from the town of Latamna was killed by Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Zakat in Hama on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV wrote that "a young man from the town of Al Latamneh was killed by artillery shelling on the village of Zakat in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3679

Location

حيش, Heesh, Hama, Syria
Up to three civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Heesh on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Four others were reportedly injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians, including a woman, man and the girl Hanaa Jawhar al Saeed,…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident