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

RS4260

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Idlib, Syria
Several people were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 17th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam reported that the following towns were targeted with airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes: Ma'rat Al Nu'man, Ariha, Jisr Al Shughur, Ma'shammaran, Zayn, Jarjnaz, al-Halbah, Tahia, Tataia, Al…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4261

Location

بابيلا, Babila, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly killed and others were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian artillery/airstrike on the village of Babila, Idlib governorate, in the early morning of December 17th, 2019. The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified a victim killed as Othman Al-Diab. Edlib Media Centre claimed as the only source that the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4258

Location

بداما, Badama, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local reports. @HalabTodayTV and @NagiNajjar reported that Syrian regime positions shelled the town and the area surrounding it. @HalabTodayTV said a civilian was injured as a result. An unnamed source…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4252

Location

بنش,, Binnish town, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians, two children (siblings) and a woman, were killed and five family members, including a child and a woman, were injured in as many as six alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Binnish, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local media reports.…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4253

Location

معرشمارين, Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria
As many as five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed and dozens of civilians, mostly women and children, were injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to multiple sources. The names of those killed and injured indicate several…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4254

Location

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two people were injured in up to four alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. SMART News reported that one person was injured by Russian aircraft. The Syrian White Helmets reported injuries following the strike. Shaam News said there had been no…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident