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

23 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4196

Location

قرية الشيخ بحر, al-Sheikh Bahr village, Syria
Three civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Sheikh Bahr village in Idlib, Syria on November 23rd, 2019 according to local sources. IdlibPlus reported that "three people were also injured in the village of Sheikh Al- Bahr west of Idlib as a result of being targeted by four raids by Russian aircraft"…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4192

Location

مرعيان, Mareyan, Idlib, Syria
A child and his father were reported killed, while his mother injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Mareyan in Eastern Idlib, Syria on November 22nd, 2019. The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified the names the two victims as Basel Hazarini and Talha Basel Hazarini (his son). The wife of Basel and mother of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4193

Location

Fatira village, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Fatira village in Idlib, Syria, on November 22nd 2019 at approximately 7:45 local time, according to local sources. The two deaths were identified as Abdullah Ibrahim Abu Alkhish and Kinan Abdeljoud Khalouf on multiple sources on Twitter and Facebook. The Step…

Summary

Published
22 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4191

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, including two children, were reported killed and a number of others were wounded by a mortar or a cluster bomb from the remnants of previous strikes by Russian Forces or the Syrian regime forces on Ma'arat Al Numan in Idlib, on November 21st, 2019, according to local sources. A tweet from @oulaalassaad named three…

Summary

Published
21 November 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4187

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Six civilians were killed in reported Russian airstrikes in the town of Maarat al Numan in southern Idlib on the evening of November 20th 2019. Multiple sources alleged that at least five casualties were members of the same family, including four children and their mother. The strikes occurred on “World Children’s Day”. Between 11 and…

Summary

Published
20 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4186

Location

بابيلا,, Babila, Idlib, Syria
Two men were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Babila in the southern countryside of Idlib on November 20, 2019. HalabTodayTv stated that the two civilians were injured and that material was damaged, due to the alleged airstrike in Babila by the Russian Armed forces. Several local sources reported that civilian…

Summary

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