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

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4158

Location

معرتماتر, Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Ma'ar Tamater, Idlib governorate, on November 11th, 2019, according to local sources. Abad Zekra, director of the Civil Defence Force in Ma'arat Al Nouman, told Smart News Agency that alleged Russian air raids wounded a civilian, who was taken to a nearby medical…

Summary

Published
11 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4156

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Several alleged Russian artillery strikes targeted the city of Kafranbel and the towns of Marzita, Parisa, Hass, Maarat Harmah, Musharrafa and Fatira in Idlib governorate, according to Shaam News Agency. It is unclear if there were civilian casualties. Further details are unavailable to Airwars.

Summary

Published
10 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4157

Location

كفرومة, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
Between five and seven civilians, including three children, a nurse and a journalist, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kfarouma in Idlib governorate on November 10th, 2019. Between eight and 11 civilians, including children, were injured, as reported by local sources. Step News Agency reported that Russian air…

Summary

Published
10 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
8–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4155

Location

الشيخ مصطفى, Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib governorate, on November 10th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Ahmad Asaad Al Sawadi was killed in the alleged Russian airstrikes. According to Edlib Media Center, the man was working on the olive…

Summary

Published
10 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4154

Location

البوابية, Al Bawabiya, Aleppo, Syria
Two women and a child were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Bawabiya between midnight and dawn on November 9th, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported that "a child and two women were injured in airstrikes in Al Bawabiya town in southern Rif countryside at midnight" and Baladi News added that…

Summary

Published
9 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4150

Location

بلدة الرامي, Rami town, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, including a child and woman, were reported killed and between three to seven others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Rami Town in Jabal Al Zawihay in Idlib, on November 8th, 2019 according to local sources. An almost one-year-old child Ghadeer Khaled Hasram and her mother Manar Muhammad Al Yousef were…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident