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

16 January 2019

Incident Code

RS3561

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
According to local sources, artillery shelling targeted a civilian house in Kafr Zeita, north of Hama. The resident, a woman, allegedly died of her injuries on January 29th after being hit by a missile on January 16th.  There were varying reports on the culprit; some sources blamed the Syrian regime while others blamed Russian forces.

Summary

Published
16 January 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2019

Incident Code

RS3560

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
A 14-year-old girl was reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Lataminah in northern Hama, according to sources on the ground. Local sources reported that a woman and her two daughters were wounded and that the girl died from her injuries hours later. There are varying reports about the exact number of…

Summary

Published
11 January 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

4 January 2019

Incident Code

RS3557

Location

مزرعة المنطار, Al Mentar farm, Idlib, Syria
At 5 a.m. on January 4th, 2019, an alleged Russian airstrike struck a farm in al-Mentar (Mazra’et Al Mentar) west of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern Idlib countryside, injuring seven people, including a child and two women from the village of Al-Jibin, according to local media. Civil Defense Forces reportedly rescued the family that was…

Summary

Published
4 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 January 2019

Incident Code

RS3559

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Around 11 pm during the night of January 4th, 2018, alleged Russian airstrikes hit the village of Darat Izza, and up to three civilians of the Qadili family were killed, including a father and son, while several more civilians were reportedly wounded. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the suspected Russian planes "fired missiles near…

Summary

Published
4 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 January 2019

Incident Code

RS3558

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urem al-Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Around 11 pm in the night of January the 4th, alleged Russian or regime airstrikes targeted the villages of Dera Azza, Urm Al Kubra, Al Rashidin and Rehab Al Mohandeseen, local media reported.   In the village Urma Al Kubra, west of Aleppo, no civilians appear to have been killed but several were wounded. Reports varied on…

Summary

Published
4 January 2019
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2018

Incident Code

RS3554

Location

مرعند, Mar'and, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were possibly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Mar'and, Jisr Al Shughour countryside, on December 31st, 2018, according to local sources. Masr Al Arabia reported that civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on civilian homes in the village of Mar'and on December 31st. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights wrote…

Summary

Published
31 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident