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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

16 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4890

Location

ا حياء سكنية بالقرب من المساجد ومنشأة طبية وشارع البازار في أريحا, residential neighborhoods near mosques, a medical facility, and Al-Bazaar street in Ariha [Jericho], Idlib, Syria
During the evening of Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, at least two identified male civilians were killed and at least seven and up to eight civilians were injured, including two girls and a woman. The casualties were caused by an alleged artillery and/or airstrike by the Syrian regime and/or the Russian military and/or the Iranian military…

Summary

Published
16 January 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car), Residential
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4888

Location

مدينة ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
During the evening of Sunday, 7th January 2024, missile strikes with the use of phosphorus bombs with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by Russian forces and/or Syrian regime and/or Iranian military on residential neighbourhoods in Idlib City, Idlib, injured up to four civilians, including a girl. Adnan Al-Ashqar posted on Facebook that three civilians were injured…

Summary

Published
7 January 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4889

Location

سرمين, Grand Mosque, a market and a shop in the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Between four to five civilians, including two children, were injured and one civilian was killed in an artillery shelling with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime's military forces and/or the Russian military and/or the Iranian military in the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, specifically at the Grand Mosque and market neighborhood near…

Summary

Published
7 January 2024
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Shop, Market), Religious (Mosque)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4886

Location

سرمين, market and civilian homes in Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
Shortly before 1:40 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024, a number of civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured when a missile strike with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military and/or Iranian military hit a popular market and civilian homes in the town of Sarmin in Idlib…

Summary

Published
6 January 2024
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market), Vehicle (Car, Truck), Residential
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4887

Location

بالقرب من منشأة خدمية وحديقة في مدينة إدلب، إدلب, near a service facility and a park in the Idlib city, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shortly before 12:56 PM on Saturday, January 6th, 2024, a young girl was reportedly killed and up to four civilians, including one woman, were injured as a result of a missile strike with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military and/or Iranian military on the residential neighborhood of Idlib…

Summary

Published
6 January 2024
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2023

Incident Code

RS4882

Location

City of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
On Sunday evening, the 31st of December, 2023, one civilian man was killed and eight civilians, including three women and two children, were injured by two missile shellings of the neighbourhoods of the city of Idlib allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military and/or the Iranian military. Abu Abdo Al-Malik wrote in…

Summary

Published
31 December 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Commerce (Market), Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident