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

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3668

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
One woman was killed and two others, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kansafra on May 7th, according to local media. Several schools were reportedly targeted @HalabToday reported that "one woman was killed and others were injured, including children, when an explosive barrel was detonated on the town…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3669

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
A civilian and his pregnant wife were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama governorate, on May 7th, 2019, according to local media. Several sources reported the death of two civilians, named as Zaid Mahmoud Al Rajou and his wife Laila Al Rajou. According to the Syrian Press Centre, Laila was five months…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3666

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
A woman named Sabah Al Hamidi was alleged killed by artillery shelling in the village of Zakat, north of Hama. Smart News and Step News blamed Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime SY 24, Syria TV, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said that the regime was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3670

Location

رأس العين, Ras Al A’in, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that airstrikes struck a popular market in Ras al Ein village east of the city of Abu-Thabet in Idlib. According to Step News, shelling was carried out by "Russian airliners and helicopters". The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime instead. The sources said that the market was attacked with…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
8–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3671

Location

مرج الزهور, Marj Al Zuhour, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported killed and eight others including two children were reported injured as Russian forces or Syrian regime targeted with airstrikes or artillery Marj Al Zohur in Idlib on May 7th, 2019, according to local reports. Two of those killed were workers with a humanitarian organisation for food support. The Local…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3660

Location

شنان, Shnan, Idlib, Syria
A child and a woman were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes near Al Tawhid mosque in the middle of Shnan village on May 6th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. Warplanes fired missiles near Al Tawhid Mosque in the middle of Shnan village in Jabal al-Zawiyeh…

Summary

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