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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

30 November 2024

Incident Code

RS4933

Location

دوار الباسل في حي حلب الجديدة، ﺣَﻠَﺐ, Al-Basel Roundabout area, New Aleppo neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Shortly before 1:50 PM on Saturday, November 30, 2024, an airstrike with contested responsibility allegedly carried out by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces struck al-Basel roundabout in the New Aleppo neighborhood of Aleppo City, Syria, reportedly killing at least 18 identified civilians, including a woman, and injuring at least 186 identified civilians, including…

Summary

Published
18 August 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
18–36
Civilians reported injured
186
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4938

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
On Saturday, 30 November 2024, an alleged Russian airstrike hit the town of Morek in the Hama governorate of Syria, reportedly killing six civilians, including two women and a child: Abdul Aziz Abdo al-Mansour (Abu Mudar), Abdul Karim Ahmad al-Othman (Abu Sha’lan), women Malka Husein Abu Salim al-Tamer and Zakiya al-Bakour (Umm Nader), a child Jana Houthayfa…

Summary

Published
15 August 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Water, Residential
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4953

Location

‏خان شيخون‬, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Shortly before midday on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, an airstrike with an alleged use of vacuum missiles hit residential neighbourhoods in Khan Sheikhoun city, south of Idlib, Syria, reportedly killing two civilian men, identified as Ahmad Aboud Shalat and Hassan al-Rashed. The responsibility of the attack was attributed to the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces.…

Summary

Published
15 August 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2024

Incident Code

RS4919

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Shortly before 18:23 on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, an artillery strike hit the Imam al-Nawawi Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences (Quran memorization institute) located in the city of Ariha (Jericho), south of Idlib, Syria. The attack reportedly killed at least three children and injured 13-15 children. Reportedly, more than 40 children were staying at…

Summary

Published
15 August 2025
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education (Religious School)
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
13–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4964

Location

مدينة تلبيسة, Talbiseh, Homs, Syria
During the morning and afternoon of 7 December 2024, a series of artillery and airstrikes, allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian warplanes/shelling, struck Talbishe in the northern countryside of Homs, Syria. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least dozens of civilians, including five children and two women, and injuries…

Summary

Published
8 August 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Healthcare (Hospital)
Civilians reported killed
2–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4960

Location

رفح, Helfaya City, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrike on Helfaya city, North Hama, Syria, during the morning of 6 December, 2024. The names of those killed, all of whom were men, were Amjad Bin Ahmad Jouma Rajab, Mohammad Kassar Abo Zaied (Abu Khaled), and Osama Suliman al-Darwish (Abu Tariq). Their…

Summary

Published
8 August 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident