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

8 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3586

Location

وادي العزيب أو وادي العذيب,, Wadi al-Azeeb, Hama, Syria
Between seven and nine civilians died and several others were wounded when remnants from a cluster bomb or landmine allegedly dropped by either Russia or the Assad regime back in 2017 exploded in Wadi al-Azeeb on February 8th 2019. Halab Today reported: "According to the correspondent of Halab Today, the explosions killed seven people and a…

Summary

Published
8 February 2019
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3584

Location

خان شيخون,, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians including a child died and four or five others were wounded in a heavy bombardment of Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed the Assad regime, though there were also allegations against Russia. The heavy shelling reportedly encompassed rockets, artillery and airstrikes. Multiple sources…

Summary

Published
1 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3583

Location

خان شيخون,, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One named adult male civilian died and several others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun on February 28th, 2019, local media reported. Most sources blamed regime forces stationed at Qabariya camp, though Smart - citing activists - pointed to Russian forces. According to Orient News, "Assad militia targeted the city…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3582

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
A civilian man and a woman died and up to six civilians were wounded in alleged regime or Russian air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on February 24th, 2019, according to sources on the ground. @abuhuzaifa_ noted "5 days of continuous and daily shelling of my city", stating that the smell of blood was everywhere.…

Summary

Published
24 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3581

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
In renewed artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun, up to seven civilians died, and between six and 15 were wounded, according to local media. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame - though the majority pointed to the regime. Sources reported that the Syrian regime were stationed at Kubaybat al-Huda camp in the eastern suburb…

Summary

Published
23 February 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
6–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3578

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
In a renewed artillery bombardment of Khan Sheikhoun, between four and five civilians were killed, including three from one family, and others were injured, following a strike on a bakery. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Huge fires broke out, according to…

Summary

Published
19 February 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident