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

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3627

Location

الحويجة, Al Hawaija, Hama, Syria
One civilian died and another was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Al Hawaija, Hama governorate, on April 30th, 2019, according to local media. Most sources blamed regime artillery for the civilian harm but there were also allegations that Russia carried out airstrikes. Local sources reported heavy artillery shelling in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3628

Location

عابدين, Abdin, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians, including a woman, died and up to three others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Abdin, Idlib governorate, on April 30th, 2019, local media reported. Local sources reported that a woman was killed and others were injured when Abdin, south of Idlib, was struck…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3629

Location

أرينبة, Ariyanba, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that a woman was killed by shelling in the village of Ariyanba in the southern countryside of Idlib. Two or three other people were reported wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. HalabTodayTV added that dozens of families were displaced as a result of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3630

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the town of Al Latamina on April 30th, 2019, according to local sources. Kafar Zeita TV reported that two civilians were wounded by rocket fire from Russian helicopters on the outskirts of the town of Al Latamina in the…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3623

Location

الحواش, Al Hawwash, Hama, Syria
Civilians were wounded in alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Hawwash, local media reported. Halab Today TV, reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on the village of Hawwash in the western suburb of Hama. However, a number of other sources blamed barrel bombing by the…

Summary

Published
29 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29–30 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3624

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafar Nbouda, Hama, Syria
One civilian died and up to 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on Kfar Nbouda, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime was to blame. Many reports said that regime helicopters dropped multiple barrel bombs on the town. There were reports of both artillery and airstrikes. Local Coordination…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident