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 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3530

Location

عابدين القريبة, Vicinity of Abdin, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians including a girl and a woman were killed and five others including up to three children and a woman injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdin town in Idlib on Sep 8th, 2018. The time of the incident remains unclear as some sources said it happened in…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3531

Location

الهلبة, Al-Halba, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and six others injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces attacked with explosive barrels Al-Halba village in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence said "A civilian martyred, and six others wounded, as a result of helicopter bombing that targeted the village of Al-Halba…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3527

Location

الهبيط, Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on September 7th, 2018, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that "four civilians were killed, and seven others were wounded, most of them in serious condition, as a result of heavy…

Summary

Published
7 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
7
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3528

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Two Syrian Civil Defence volunteers were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strike on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on September 7th, 2018, while extinguishing a fire after the first air raid, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that "two volunteers were injured (Anas Al Diab - Muhammad…

Summary

Published
7 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3520

Location

كفردين, Kafridin, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and three others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafridin in Idlib, Syria on September 4th, 2018. Fresh-syria news reported that "a number of civilians were martyred and others were injured today, Tuesday, as a result of the Russian aggression targeting with airstrikes the village of…

Summary

Published
4 September 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

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3521

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
Up to eight civilians including at least two women from the same family were reported killed and many others injured including two children in alleged Russian airstrikes on a market, and on Baidarshmso village in Mhambel in Idlib, Syria on September 4th, 2018. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted: "Three women were killed, and a man and two children…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Civilians reported injured
6–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident