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

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3616

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, reportedly two men and a baby girl, died and another five non-combatants were wounded in an airstrike on agricultural land between the town of Kafar Nabil and the village of Jbala in the southern suburb of Idlib, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though there was also an allegation that the Assad regime…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3617

Location

العمقية, al Amqeya in Sahl Al Ghab, Hama, Syria
At least five civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Amqeya in Sahl Al Ghab in Hama on the night of April 26th, local media reported. The lowest death count was given by Step New Agency at two civilians - though two…

Summary

Published
26 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26–27 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3618

Location

العنكاوي, Al’inakwi in Sahl Al Ghab, Hama, Syria
According to Step News Agency, "two people were killed and a number were wounded in several Russian air raids on the village of Al Amqeya and an air raid on the village of Al’inakawi in Sahal Al Ghab in the western countryside of Hama." On April 27th, the White Helmets reported: "The death of martyrs and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3613

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, Syria
Shelling on residential neighbourhoods in Khan Sheikhoun killed nine named civilians and wounded as many as dozens more on April 23rd, 2019, local media reported. Up to 64 rocket and artillery shells were used in the raid, according to the Syrian Civil Defense. While @abuhuzaifa_ reported an initial toll of five civilian fatalities but in…

Summary

Published
23 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21–23 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3612

Location

بادية ريف ديرالزور الغربي, Badiyah of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that a child died of her injuries on April 25th after alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Badiyah (the desert) in the western Deir Ezzor countryside several days earlier. @DeirEzzor24 tweeted: "The child Sumaya Saleh Al Bayram died of injuries she received several days ago in aerial bombardment by #Russia on the Badiyah…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3611

Location

خان شيخون, ‏خان شيخون‬, Khan Sheikoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Two men were reported wounded when rockets and/or artillery struck the Al Rahman Mosque in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, partially destroying the building. Sources reported the use of rocket-propelled grenades. Smart News Agency reported there were "two wounded in a rocket attack on the city of Khan Sheikun south of Idlib from the Russian forces…

Summary

Published
19 April 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident