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

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4198

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat Naasan, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, including a child, were reported killed and up to five others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma'arat AlNaasan in Idlib, on November 24th 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defense said the six civilians are from one family and named the killed ones: Reema Ramadan, aged 60, Mohamed Omar Ramadan aged…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4199

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
On November 24th, 2019, in Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, local and social media reported that civilians were wounded as a result an alleged Russian airstrike. Four missiles were alleged to have been fired, and at least one man was reported injured. According to the White Helmets, "a man was injured as a result of four airstrikes…

Summary

Published
24 November 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

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4200

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
On November 24th, 2019, a man and a women were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Heesh town, Idlib. Local sources and social media reported on the airstrike. HalabTodayTV reported "A man and a woman were injured in a Russian air strike targeting the town of Heesh in the southern countryside of…

Summary

Published
24 November 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

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4197

Location

كفرنبل,, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
On November 24th, 2019, multiple sources reported that four people were injured in the city of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib by multiple airstrikes from Russian aircraft. Idlib Plus reported that "four people were wounded in the city of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib, by several air strikes by Russian aircraft." @AyhamSteif on Twitter reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4194

Location

قرية الصافي, al-Safi village, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Three women from the same family and a child were reported killed, and a man and his son injured when their vehicle was hit by a Russian armored military vehicle in Al Safi village in Manbej, Aleppo governorate in Syria, on November 23rd 2019 according to local sources. Local sources stated that the accident occured…

Summary

Published
23 November 2019
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4195

Location

كفرنبل, Kafrnabl, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were reported killed and between three and ten others including at least one woman and one child were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Nubul in Idlib, Syria on November 23rd 2019, according to local sources. While SMART Agency, Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), IdlibPlus and Macro Media Center (MMC)…

Summary

Published
23 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident