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

2–3 May, 2019

Incident Code

RS3637

Location

قليدين, Qulidine, Hama, Syria
An alleged Russian airstrike struck a house in the village of Qaleidin in Sahl Al Ghab  in the western countryside of Hama on the morning of May 3rd. According to local sources, between four and five civilians were killed including two women. While most sources reported on four civilians, Baladi News put the death toll…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3638

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
According to local sources, Russian "fixed-wing warplanes" struck what was described as a "bird shack" on the eastern outskirts of the town of Kansafra in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, killing up to four members of the same family. The Syrian Network for Human Rights described the location as a poultry farm that displaced persons…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3639

Location

بسقلا, Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others seriously injured as Bsqala in Idlib was targeted with explosive barrels and naval bombs on May 2nd 2019. According to local source Step News, "Russian and Syrian warplanes and helicopters" operated over villages and towns in Idlib, striking a bakery and a kindergarten in Bsqala and killing one…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3640

Location

أبديتا, Abdita, Idlib, Syria
One elderly man died and a woman was wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib, according to local media. According to the White Helmets, "a man was killed and a large house and property destroyed when a fire broke out in the village of Abdita. Helicopters targeted the village of…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3631

Location

معرشورين, M’arshourin, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported airstrikes in the towns of Tarmala, Ma’arshrouin and Al Mashrifa in the countryside of Idlib. According to Step News and EdlibEMC1, one civilian was wounded when an airstrike struck the outskirts of the village of Ma’arshrouin. EdlibEMC1 claimed that the victim was a young man who was wounded when the village was…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3634

Location

المنطار, Al Mentar, Idlib, Syria
Two children were reported wounded when the village of Al-Mentar, near the town of Muhambal in the western suburb of Idlib, was struck by an "aerial bombardment" on the morning of May 1st. Almanar didn't mention civilian harm but reported that "Yesterday [May 1st], units of the army [the Assad regime] arrested a number of…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident