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

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3542

Location

عابدين, Abidin , Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians including a child were reported killed and five others injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Abdin in Idlib, Syria on September 9th, 2018 according to local sources. Local Coordination Committees of Syria said that the Syrian regime conducted the attack with barrel bombs. "Artillery shelling…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3532

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
A woman was reported killed, and a Syrian Civil Defence photographer and a volunteer got injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces targeted a center for White Helmets in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib on Sep 8th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News said that "The Russian warplanes launched several air raids on the…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3533

Location

السرج, Al-Sarj, Idlib, Syria
A pregnant woman was killed with her unborn baby, and others including a woman were injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike or artillery attack with rockets on Al-Sarj village in Idlib on September 8th, 2018, according to local sources. The victim was identified as Ola Riyad al-Daher.  Bawabat Hama posted "Mrs.…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3529

Location

كفر عين, Kafr Ain, Idlib, Syria
One child, most local sources say a girl, was injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Ain in Idlib on September 8th, 2018. @maraya404 tweeted "A child girl was injured in a raid by the Assad regime, on Kafr Ain, south of Idlib." @IdlibPlus said that barrel bombs were used in…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3534

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafrsajna, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that attacks with barrel bombs on Kafrsajna in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 led to injuries among civilians. HalabTodayTV reported saying "Wounded civilians as a result of bombing the village of Hass and the surrounding town of Kafrsajna rural Idlib South with explosive barrels." @IdlibPlus blamed the Syrian regime and tweeted "Helicopters…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3535

Location

قلعة المضيق, Qalaat al-Madiq, Hama, Syria
Up to three civilians were reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Qalaat al-Madiq in Hama on Saturday, September 8th, 2018 according to local sources. Two of the victims were identified as Naser Hashoum and Muhammad al-Sheikh. Albasaer newspaper said that one of the victims died as…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident