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

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4180

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Three to seven people reportedly died during several alleged Russian or Syrian air strikes on the northern outskirts of Saraqib, east of Idlib on the morning of November 17th 2019. Estimates of the number of injured people went as high as seven. While some sources claimed that the casualties were civilians, others identified them as…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4181

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Local sources reported that Syrian Regime or Russian helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the outskirts of the town Kafr Nabl south of Idlib injuring at least two civilians on November 17th. Two civilians were injured according to most sources, while one source claimed that civilians had been killed during the strike. @Idlibplus identified the victims…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4182

Location

Arba'ayn mountains, Idlib, Syria
جبل الأربعين
Up to three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes that caused fires on the Arba'ayn mountains in Idlib governorate, Syria, on November 17th, 2019. While most sources claimed that three civilians had been killed, several others reported that only two had died. @Sy24ria stated as the only source that no casualties were suffered. IdlibPlus…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4177

Location

Maarzita, Idlib, Syria
معرزيتا‎
Three civilians were reported to have been killed and at least eight injured by either Syrian regime forces or Russian forces in an airstrike on November 16th 2019 in Maarzita, in the de-escalation zone in Idlib, northern Syria. According to various sources such as Halab Today and Syria TV, one civilian was a doctor on…

Summary

Published
16 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4172

Location

Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
Up to five civilians including three children and a woman were reported killed and eight others including a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense injured in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery attacks on Al Bara in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, Syria on November 15th, 2019 according to local sources. Step Agency said…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4173

Location

Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
A likely Russian airstrike killed a child and reportedly injured four other family members when missiles targeted a residential neighbourhood in the town of Kafrouma, south of Idlib, on November 15th 2019. While various local sources report that those injured were four sisters, others such as Zamal Al Wasl News report that amongst those injured…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
View Incident