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

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4289

Location

تلمنس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians, initially reported as three, were killed and others were wounded in the town of Tal Menes after warplanes fired missiles into the town on the 21st of December. A series of news outlets as well as the Idlib Civil Defense confirmed the deaths. Orient Net, Al-Muharrer Network, and Stab News with their reporter…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4290

Location

معصران, Masran, Idlib, Syria
Local sources confirmed the killing of five siblings in the village of Maasran on December 22nd, 2019 by alleged Russian airstrikes. Four individuals were also wounded with one eventually dying to raise the total of civilian deaths to six. The names of victims were released and confirmed by Civil Defense Service in Idlib. The dead…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
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

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4285

Location

الدير الشرقي, Al Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed by Russian forces and/or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi in Idlib, Syria on December 22nd, 2019. Shaam News was the only source to report on the incident, stating that three civilians had been killed by airstrikes and shelling launched by the Russian military and Syrian regime across…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4286

Location

الطريق الزراعي الواصل بين الدانا و ترمانين, The agricultural road between Al Dana and Termanin, Syria
One civilian was reported killed on the agricultural road linking Termanin to Dana in Idlib, Syria on December 22nd, 2019 when Russian or Syrian regime warplanes attacked the area, according to Shaam Network. No other sources were found on this incident.

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4287

Location

عدة بلدات, Many towns, Idlib, Syria
According to Shaam network, "Russian and Asadi warplanes launched violent airstrikes, accompanied with intense artillery and missile shelling targeting the cities and towns of Maarat al-Numan, Saraqib, Kafrnbel, Talmans, Babila, Jarajnaz, al-Ghadfa, Khan al-Sabil, Ma`radbis, al-Kinda, al-Najiya, al-Dir al-Gharb ومع, Mar`dbasa, Tal Mordikh and al-Ma`shurain, which resulted in the fall of 4 martyrs". No more…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4291

Location

خان السبيل, Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians were injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on vehicles of displaced civilians on the international highway near the town of Khan al Sabil, Idlib governorate, on December 22nd, 2019, as reported by local sources. Local tweets included video of the bombing raid that injured civilians. Step News Agency…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car, Motorcycle), Agriculture (Equipment / Machinery)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident