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

19 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3579

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were "lightly injured" in an artillery bombardment of Ma'arat Al Nu'man. While most sources blamed the regime, there was also an allegation against Russia. Footage shows a medical team rushing to the scene immediately after the strike as search operations begin for civilian casualties. None were reported. Another video published shows dogs are…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3580

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
Up to seven civilians including one child were killed and several wounded as Mesraba in eastern Ghouta, Damascus was struck by airstrikes and artillery, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported, On this day, several parts of eastern Ghouta, including Mesraba, were subject to what was referred to by many…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3577

Location

ابو جبار, Abo Jabbar, Aleppo, Syria
Three children were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Abo Jabbar town, Aleppo - though only one source has reported the event. The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed three unidentified children as victims of "warplane shelling" by "Russian troops".  

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3576

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
A continuation of artillery shelling on the residential neighbourhood of Khan Sheikhoun meant that between two and 16 civilians were killed, and six or more were wounded, following another "massacre" on the 15th of February. Sources were conflicted as too who was to blame. Most attributed blame the Syrian regime, however, some also blamed Russia.…

Summary

Published
16 February 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–16
Civilians reported injured
6–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3575

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
In what has been described my local media as a massacre, between eight and 14 civilians were killed, including women and children, and "dozens" were injured, following artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib. Most of the local media alleged that the Syrian regime were to blame for the strikes, however some…

Summary

Published
15 February 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3574

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
A 38-year-old-man was reported wounded by artillery shelling in Al Lataminah, in the north of Hama. Some sources blamed the Russian forces while others blamed regime forces. No further details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
10 February 2019
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident