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

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4262

Location

تلمنس,, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
Between six to ten civilians, all belonging to one family, were reportedly killed in what local media described as "a massacre" in Tal Menes in Idlib, in the evening of December 17th, 2019. Among the casualties were reportedly three children and at least three women. Dozens more were reported wounded. The incident was referred to…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4263

Location

معصران, Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria
Four to seven people, including a woman, were reportedly killed and between ten and seventeen civilians, including two children, injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the village of Ma’saran in the afternoon of December 17th, 2019, according to local sources. The day was referred to as "Black Tuesday" by the…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
10–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4264

Location

بداما, Bidama, Idlib, Syria
Six civilians including three young girls, their mother and two women, all belonging to the same family, have been reportedly killed in alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian air or artillery strikes on Bidama in the western countryside of Idlib during the day on December 17, 2019. Local sources also claimed that in addition, a "large number"…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4259

Location

الكنائس, Al Kana’es, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Kana’es on December 17, 2019. According to Syria TV, the casualty was caused "by aerial bombardment of the regime's warplanes" while Shaam News mentioned that Russia and the regime carried out airstrikes and shelling in Idlib. No other information is available at…

Summary

Published
17 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

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4265

Location

معرشمشة, Ma’ar Shamsha, Idlib, Syria
One civilian reportedly died in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ma’ar Shamsha, southern Idlib countryside, around noon on December 17, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the victim's name is Mohammad Abdul Razzaq Al Shahhoud. According to Al Jazeera, the attack had been "carried out by Syrian regime helicopters". Facebook…

Summary

Published
17 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

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4266

Location

دير شرقي, Deir Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
A young man was reportedly killed and another man injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Deir Sharqi in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate on December 17, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) identified the deceased victim as Abdul Rahman Khalil Al Jark (18). @MasarPressNet reported that regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on…

Summary

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