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

17 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3610

Location

أبو حبّة, Abu Habba, Idlib, Syria
A number of civilians were killed and wounded when artillery and rockets struck the Al Zohour Primary School and civilian homes in Abu Habba village in Deir Ezzor, partially destroying the school building and fence, according to sources on the ground. The Macro Media Center reported that one civilian was killed and several children injured.…

Summary

Published
17 April 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13–14 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3609

Location

أورم الجوز, Urma Al Jouz, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Urma Al Jouz, in the western countryside of Idlib, around midnight between April 13th and 14th, wounding a family of five, according to local media. Over a dozen missile strikes were reportedly fired from three Russian planes. The strikes were described as rocket attacks, or more specifically as…

Summary

Published
13 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7–8 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3608

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that an elderly man was killed when multiple Russian airstrikes allegedly struck several neighbourhoods in the city of Kafr Zeita. Local news outlet Baladi News reported that the Russian Airforce conducted eight airstrikes with high-explosive rockets on residential neighbourhoods in the town. According to Step News, the Russian planes launched a total…

Summary

Published
7 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3606

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
A child and a woman were reportedly killed and more than a dozen civilians were injured in shelling on the town of Kafr Nabl in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. In an initial post, Smart News blamed the Russian forces but later blamed the Syrian regime instead. Other local sources blamed the Syrian regime…

Summary

Published
6 April 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10–22
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3607

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that long-range high-explosive ballistic missiles struck the city of Jisr al-Shughour. Step News specified that ten missiles struck residential buildings and infrastructure in the city. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the strikes struck an area near the Mamoun Haj Yahya School in al Shamali al Sharqi neighborhood, severely destroying…

Summary

Published
8 April 2019
Strike Type
Artillery, Naval bombardment
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
12–14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3605

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One adult male civilian died and up to four other civilians (including a father and his two children) were wounded in an alleged Assad regime or Russian artillery bombardment of Kafar Zeita on the afternoon of April 1st, local sources reported. According to Smart News, Russian forces conducted heavy artillery shelling on the cities of…

Summary

Published
1 April 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident