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

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3650

Location

أرنبة, Arnaba, Idlib, Syria
A woman and two children of the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Arnaba, Idlib governorate, on May 4th, 2019, according to local sources. According to the White Helmets, "two children were killed and a child was seriously injured as a result of a military airstrike near a school…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3651

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
The girls Ghazal Hussein al Yahya and Mais Alaa al Aoura were alleged killed as "fixed- wing warplanes" believed to be Russian fired missiles on Mhambel village in Idlib. Ten other civilians including children were reported wounded. Orient TV said that Russian warplanes used highly explosive missiles in this incident in which a mosque was…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3647

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar A’ouid, Idlib, Syria
Between four and six civilians including a child and up to three women wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Uwayd city in Idlib, local media said. There were also reports of artillery strikes. According to 7alnet, "two men and three women were injured". However, Radio Fresh reported that "six civilians, including…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3648

Location

الجانودية, Al Ganoudia, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian or regime strikes struck the outskirts of the town of Ganoudia in the western countryside of Idlib. An unknown number of civilians including children were reported wounded on May 4th, 2019. Pro regime sources said that the attacks targeted Al-Nusra Front in the area, killing and injuring a number of its members.

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3652

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ma'aret Hrema in Idlib, local media reported, adding that cluster bombs have been used in the attack. According to Smart News, both Russia and the Syrian regime forces were to blame for killing one…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3653

Location

ركايا سجنة, Rakaya Sijna, Idlib, Syria
An alleged Russian or regime double airstrike near Al Rakaya village in the southern countryside of Idlib reportedly killed two civilians. The Syrian Civil Defense forces reported that one of their volunteers was driving their ambulance to the site where a Russian airstrike had killed a woman, when he himself was struck by a second…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident