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

20–21 March, 2019

Incident Code

RS3598

Location

قرية بسيدا, Bsida village, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that six Russian aircrafts carried out airstrikes on a number of villages in rural Idlib including Bsida village. One woman was reported injured in this particular village, while an airstrike on Al Faqee caused a number of fatalities and wounded civilians that Airwars documented in assessment R3397.

Summary

Published
20 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3592

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Two women were reported wounded in an alleged Russian air or artillery strike on Saraqeb on March 13th, 2019, according to sources on the ground. On March 13th Neda reported: "At night, Russian aircraft fired heavy artillery at the town of Sarqab in the eastern suburb of Idlib using high-explosive rockets, injuring two women." Al…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3593

Location

Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Subul, Idlib governorate, on March 13th, 2019. Edlib Media Center reported that "civilians were wounded by Russian airstrikes with high-explosive missiles on the town of Khan Al Sabul east of Idlib."  Step Agency wrote that "Russian Air Force…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3594

Location

تل مرديخ, Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tal Mardikh, Idlib governorate, on March 13th, 2019. Horrya wrote: "According to a reporter, Russian warplanes launched heavy air raids, on Tuesday night [March 12th], with rockets and vacuum and concussion missiles on the city of Sarakib and…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3595

Location

سجن ادلب المركزي, Idlib Central Prison, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that two Russian planes launched eight raids on the city of Idlib, including residential areas. Baladi News reported that six airstrikes struck the central prison west of the city of Idlib causing the destructing of one of the buildings. Multiple civilians including prisoners and prison staff were reported killed and wounded while…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–26
Civilians reported injured
40–60
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3596

Location

كفر عميم, Kafr A’mem, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians - both reportedly women - died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in Kafr A’mem, according to multiple local sources. Edlib Media Center reported: "Two women were killed and about 20 others were injured, mostly children, when the Russian occupation aircraft…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident