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

28 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3622

Location

البشيرية, Al Bashiriya, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that two children were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes with vacuum rockets on the town of Al Bashiriya in Idlib. EdlibEmc1 posted "Two children were injured as a result the targeting by the Russian occupation warplanes of the town of Al Bashiriya west of Idlib with concussion missiles." No further details are…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27–28 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3621

Location

قلعة المضيق, Qal’et Al Madiq in Sahl Al Ghab, Hama, Syria
Between three and seven civilians including up to five women died and as many as 10 more non-combatants were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on different locations in Qal’et Al Madiq in Sahl Al Ghab on the night of April 27th, local media reported. While the majority of sources blamed Russia, one source…

Summary

Published
27 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3620

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians, including a child, died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on Kafr Nabl on April 27th, 2019, local media said. According to the White Helmets, "a cluster targeting the town of Kafr Nabl killed a child martyr and caused injury to a woman." The Step News Agency put the death toll at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3619

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Hamah Now reported that "a civilian was injured by Russian air strikes on the town of Al-Lataminah, north of Hama." Multiple other sources reported Russian strikes on the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it had "monitored more Russian air strikes in the town of Al-Lataminah in the northern suburbs of Hama,…

Summary

Published
27 April 2019
Strike Type
Naval bombardment, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3614

Location

Bsanqoul, Idlib, Syria
At least nine civilians were killed in an airstrike in Bsanqoul, according to local media sources - though it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Al Jazeera, who placed the death toll at nine, attributed responsibility to Russian forces. They reported that the strike killed "leader of the movement Ahrar…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3615

Location

تل هواش, Tal Hawwash, Hama, Syria
Up to seven civilians from two families died and eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Tal Hawwash, according to sources on the ground. All sources but one alleged that Russia was to blame - though the Facebook page 'Al Muoali Clan History ' pointed to the Assad regime. JisrTV…

Summary

Published
26 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
8–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident