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

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4272

Location

الغدفة, Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
One man was reportedly injured and died as a result of his injuries in the aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ghadafa, southeastern Idlib, on December 18, 2019, during daytime. The man was identified by several sources as Abdel Qader Al Khaled. He was injured during the airstrike and was first transferred…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4268

Location

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Agency has put the death toll at six killed people, but it is unclear if the victims were civilians or…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4269

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Four men were killed in allegedly Russian and Syrian regime air- and artillery strikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. The four male victims were identified as Muhammad Ziyad Al Abd, Abd Al Razzaq, Yaman Serjawi and Fares Ahmad Al Salloum. The Syrian Civil…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4270

Location

خان السبل, Khan As Subul, Idlib, Syria
One man was reportedly killed and at least three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Khan As Subul, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. A number of sources, among them Facebook user Mohammad Alsafar, identified the victim as Atta Muhammad al-Hamdun. @oulaalassaad…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4267

Location

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), one civilian was killed in Russian bombardment of Deir Sharqi village in Idlib, Syria on December 18th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4271

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Ash Shughur, Idlib, Syria
One child was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Jisr Al Shughur on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. @Baladinetwork tweeted that "a child was injured due to a raid by the warplane, which targeted the city of Jisr Al Shughour in the western Idlib countryside". @Sy_intelligence reported…

Summary

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