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

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3632

Location

القصابية, Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria
Halab Today reported that several civilians were wounded by airstrikes in the towns of Al-Qasabiya and Tramla in the countryside of Idlib. While a number of sources reported the airstrikes without citing casualties, Halab Today TV referred to "several wounded" in the attack. Macro Media Center said also that a school was struck by the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3636

Location

عابدين, Abidin, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians died including women and children in alleged Russia and/or regime airstrikes on a car fleeing Abdin, local media reported. Sources reported that an initial strike destroyed homes and that residents attempting to flee in a car were then hit. According to Smart News, a total of six civilians including two women…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3635

Location

ترملا, Tramla, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that several civilians were injured by Russian or Syrian regime forces that dropped explosive barrels on Tramla in the countryside of Idlib. According to Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib, a "helicopter targeted the town of Trmala with two barrels, and its southern and western sides with an explosive barrel and five sea…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3633

Location

المشيرفة, Mushayrifah, Idlib, Syria
One woman and between one and four children were reported wounded when a Russian aircraft struck the village of Al Mushayrifah in rural Idlib in the morning of May 1st. The Syrian Civil Defense forces reported that the children were struck by a "rocket-propelled grenade". HalabTodayTV and Syria.liveuamap pointed to Russia as the culprit. Smarts…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3626

Location

خان العسل, Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian died and four more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime strikes on Khan al-Asal, according to sources on the ground. The Shaam News reported that Russian military aircrafts carried out raids in the area of Khan al-Asal and Kafar Naha. The source reported wounded civilians but did not provide…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3625

Location

كفرناها, Kafar Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Civilians were reported wounded after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Naha on April 30th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Shaam News Network, Russian jets carried out raids in the area of Khan Al Asal and Kafar Naha. The source reported wounded but did not provide more details. Aletihad Press also…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident