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

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3597

Location

الكسيح, Al-Kaseeh, Idlib, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 17 civilians including as many as eight children and four women across multiple families died in alleged Russia airstrike on residential areas in Al Kaseeh area in Idlib, local media reported. Up to another 50 civilians including many women and children were also injured. Sources said that…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–17
Civilians reported injured
30–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3590

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafar Nbouda, Hama, Syria
One or two civilians were injured in alleged artillery strikes on Kafar Nbouda, local media reported. The majority of sources said that the Assad regime was responsible, though Russian actions were also reported within the vicinity. According to the Step News Agency, "an artillery bombardment by regime forces stationed at Camp of Bredig hit the…

Summary

Published
11 March 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3591

Location

كفرزيتا,, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian artillery or rocket strike on Kafr Zeita, according to sources on the ground. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that "two civilians were wounded as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Kfar Zeita in the northern suburbs of Hama." Facebook page…

Summary

Published
11 March 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3587

Location

قرية المنطار في جسر الشغور, Al Mentar village, Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that up to two women and a child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mentar village. All sources pointed to Russia. Shaam News Network said that one woman died, though according to Step News Agency two women and a girl were killed. JisrTV also noted…

Summary

Published
9 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

9 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3588

Location

قرية المنطار في جسر الشغور,, Al Mentar village in Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
Following the alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mentar detailed in event R3385, local media said that Russian warplanes returned to the area during the rescue attempts and struck the Syrian Civil Defence as they went about their duties. Multiple sources reported that SCD volunteer and journalist Mahmoud Abdel Al was killed - in addition to…

Summary

Published
9 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3589

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that one child died and five members of his family were wounded in alleged regime or Russian artillery or airstrikes on Saraqeb. Additionally, an adult male was also reported killed on this day. According to Halab Today TV, "since yesterday [March 9th], the city of Idlib has been subjected to Russian air…

Summary

Published
9 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident