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

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3659

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
A single source claimed that civilians, including children, were wounded when an alleged Russian airstrike struck the town of Kafr Sijnah in southern Idlib on May 6th, 2019. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3661

Location

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and four civilians were killed and up to five, including a child, were wounded when alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes struck civilian homes and a health centre in the town of Al Zirba, south of Aleppo on May 6th, 2019. Smart News Agency reported that an unspecified number of civilians was killed…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3662

Location

صهيان, Sahiyan, Idlib, Syria
Up to four women and a child were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Sahyan, Idlib governorate, on May 6th, 2010, according to local sources. Four other civilians were injured. @ShahbaPress reported that four women and a child were killed and an unknown number of others were injured when…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3663

Location

أم نير,, Um Neir, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Neir, Idlib governorate, on May 6th, according to local media. Hmaid al Mohammad was killed as fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian fired a missile on Um Neir village in Idlib, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. An unknown number of civilians were also…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3664

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck northern Kafar Zeita in the night of May 6th to May 7th, 2019. Four civilians were reported killed, including two women and two children of the same family. A man and three children were reported wounded. SyriaTV wrote that "the city of Kafar Zeita…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3665

Location

مشفى نبض الحياة - حاس, Nabd Al Hayat hospital - Hass, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and another injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Nabd Al-Hayat hospital in Hass, on May 6th, 2019. Jamal Al Farhat named Abdullah Khaled Al-Farhat as the victim. Airwars Syria Researcher spoke to a witness to this incident, Abu Abdallah who preferred to use a pseudonym and who was a…

Summary

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