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

28 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4296

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Russian warplanes launched substantial attacks upon various villages outside of Idlib on December 28th causing numerous civilian casualties. Shaam News, reporting on December 29th, stated that civilian casualties resulted from Russian airstrikes upon many villages, including Mhambel and Sarja.  No names, ages, or other pertinent information was released. The air raids were part of a…

Summary

Published
28 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4297

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and up to four civilians were wounded in initial reports about an alleged Russian or Syrian regime bombing raid upon the village of Maarat Numan on December 28th, 2019. Local sources reported that Russian helicopters dropped barrel bombs, and there were early reports of four wounded civilians, the death…

Summary

Published
30 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4293

Location

كفروما, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
At least one person died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafrouma in Idlib on December 24, 2019, according to local media. Local sources were conflicted as to whether the victims were civilians or militants. Sources reported that the Russian strikes targeted members of the Ahrar al-Sham movement. According to the Step News…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4294

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
An elderly woman was reported injured along with at least one other civilian after an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on Saraqeb in Idlib, Syria on December 24th 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: ""An elderly woman was wounded in a bombing by the  Syrian regime on…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4292

Location

جوباس, Joubas, Idlib, Syria
Between 10 and 12 civilians, including at least five children and two women, were reported killed and up to seven others, including two children and two women, injured in Joubas, Idlib in Syria on December 24th, 2019 when Russian warplanes attacked a school building that was used as a shelter for displaced people in the…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Education
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4288

Location

معرة النعمان, International road to Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Between four and seven civilians were killed as the result of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a convoy with displaced people on the international road to Ma'arat Al Numan on December 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. On December 28th, a local source reported that one of the victims died of his injuries…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident