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

21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4283

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Seven or eight civilians, including four children and between one and three women, were reportedly killed and more than twenty civilians, including women and children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in the city of Saraqib on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
20–25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4281

Location

الدير شرقي, Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
At least two men and one woman were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Deir al Sharqi, Idlib governorate, on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "a man, an elderly man and a woman" were…

Summary

Published
21 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

21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4282

Location

بداما, Badama, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was killed and his father, mother, and brother were injured as the result of an alleged Russian or regime drone strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib governorate, on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. In total, up to five injuries were reported by local sources. A Syrian Civil Defence source told…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4284

Location

تل منس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
In one of two incidents in Tal Menes on December 21-22, 2019, civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the village the morning of December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. Both @ShahbaPress and a Facebook post by Mustafa.alshekh78 identified civilians injured in the strikes but did not provide a number. A…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4280

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Aleppo, Syria
At least four civilians, including two children, were killed in an alleged Russian drone strike on the Jisr Al Shughur - Lattakia road near the city of Jisr Al Shughour, on December 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Local activists reported to SMART News Agency that "Russian drones had targeted a gathering of civilians on…

Summary

Published
20 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4279

Location

كوسنيا, Kosniya, Aleppo, Syria
Two or three civilians, including a woman, were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian  or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kosniya in Aleppo governorate on December 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Whereas SMART News Agency reported three wounded, including a woman, the Syrian Civil Defence reported that two civilians were injured. SMART reported that…

Summary

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