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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Codes

IRS003 RS4190

Location

Qah refugee camp, near Syrian-Turkish border, Idlib, Syria
مخيم قاح
Between 16-30 civilians, including at least seven children and at least six women, were killed and up to 46 others, most of them children, were wounded in an airstrike with the use of cluster bombs which struck attack Qah refugee camp and was allegedly carried out by Russian, Syrian regime or Iranian forces at 7:30…

Summary

Published
20 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4184

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
An unspecified number of civilian casualties were recorded by a single source, as a result of airstrikes on multiple villages in Idlib province on November 19th 2019. Airwars is presently unable to provide more specific detail. Airstrikes by “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships” were reported by local news source Shaam News to have hit eight…

Summary

Published
19 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4185

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source, the Shaam News Network, reported: "Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships carried out air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the city of Kafrnabal, the towns of Verkia, Kafar Sijna Shanan, Maarat China, Kerasa, Jabalya, Naji, Musharrafa, Kafr Fasnajah, on the roofs of the monastery, in Termla, Hazarin, Dar al-Kabira and Ma'arzita.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS395 RS4183

Location

Tayri, Aleppo, Syria
تيري
At least one young woman was reported injured in eastern Kobane, after allegedly being hit by a Turkish-Russian patrol vehicle during on-going protests by locals against the presence of foreign forces in the area. ANF reported that “the people protested against the patrol by throwing stones. A young woman was hit by a vehicle of…

Summary

Published
18 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4178

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
An unidentified number of civilians have reportedly been injured by alleged Russian airstrikes in the towns Kafrnabal, Tarmala, Naqir, Khan al-Sibel, Fatira, Jabala, Arinba, Biskla and Ma'rzita on November 17th, 2019. Shaam news reported that Russian “planes and helicopter gunships” carried out the attack. The villages of Tahtaya, Mardabsa, Umm Jalal and Abu Habba “came…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4179

Location

Malaja, Idlib, Syria
الملاجة
Between five to six civilians, among them at least three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Russian airstrike in the town of Malaja, near Kafr Nabl in southern Idlib, on November 17th, 2019. Sources state that they were members of one family, including a couple and their son. According to several reports, another three…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
View Incident