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

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3641

Location

جب سليمان, Jab Suleiman, Hama, Syria
On the morning of May 3rd, alleged Russian airstrikes struck different areas in Sahl Al Ghab and Jabal Shashbu in the western countryside of Hama, local sources reported. Between one and five civilians were reported killed in the village of Jib Sulaiman in Jabal Shaheshbo, including up to two women. @IdlibPlus reported the death of…

Summary

Published
3 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3642

Location

الهبيط, Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
A male civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on May 3r, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other man was reportedly wounded. HalabTodayTV reported that a civilian was killed in airstrikes by a warplane, without identifying the belligerent. Al Arabiya reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3646

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Three children and two women were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the village of Ma’aret Harma on May 3rd, 2019, according to local sources. On May 3rd, the White Helmets tweeted: "Three children and two women were injured a short while ago following shelling by rockets carrying cluster…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3643

Location

البويب, Al Bouyib, Hama, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Bouyib in Jabal Shahshab on May 3rd, 2019, according to local sources. Two others were reportedly injured. According to Step News Agency, one civilian was killed, while Smart News Agency put the death toll at two civilians and added that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3644

Location

باب الطاقة, Bab Al Taqa, Hama, Syria
At least one civilian was wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes hit the village of Bab Al Taqa, west of Hama, on May 3rd, 2019, local media reported. Smart News Agency wrote that, according to activists, "a civilian was wounded by Russian airstrikes on the village of Bab Al Taqa, west…

Summary

Published
3 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3645

Location

بيدر شمسو, Baydar Shamsou, Idlib, Syria
A young girl, named as Bisan Hasan al Atrash, died and five or six other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Baydar Shamsou, local media reported. In a video posted by Baladi News, a member of the White Helmets says that "warplanes raided the village of Baydar Shamsou,…

Summary

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