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

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3522

Location

فريكة, Furaykah, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed, and another injured in Furaykah town in Idlib, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. Syrian TV reported that "a civilian was killed and his son was seriously wounded in Russian air strikes on the village of Furaykah in Idlib countryside." Macro…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3523

Location

الجانودية, Al-Janoudiya, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and two others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Janoudiya in Idlib, on September 4th, 2018. @almo3tasem91 tweeted "Two martyrs and a number of wounded civilians in the village of Al-Janoudiya as a result of being targeted by several air strikes by Russian warplanes." Local sources…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3524

Location

البدرية, Al Badriya, Idlib, Syria
A woman was reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Badriya on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, more civilians were killed and injured. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that "a woman was injured and a large number of civilian property was destroyed, after an aerial bombardment targeted the homes of civilians in…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3525

Location

بيدر شمسو, Baidar Shamso, Idlib, Syria
One woman was reportedly killed and several civilians, including three women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Baidar Shamso, Idlib governorate, on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a civilian woman had been killed in airstrikes on Baidar Shamso. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3526

Location

مُحافظة ادلب, Idlib Governorate, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafr Dassen, Idlib Governorate, on September 4th, 2018, according to Step News Agency. Step wrote that "Russian warplanes launched intensive air raids targeting villages and towns of rural Idlib West and the western and northern and western countryside of  Hama, since the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3519

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Up to 11 civilians including a woman, and five children from the same family were reported killed and many others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on neighborhoods in Jisr al-Shughur in Idlib on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. The local sources identified names of ten of the victims…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident