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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

10 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4155

Location

Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, Syria
الشيخ مصطفى
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
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4154

Location

Al Bawabiya, Aleppo, Syria
البوابية
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
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4151

Location

Jisr al Shughur, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Six civilians, including four children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Jisr Al Shughour on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Smart News Agency reported that "activists said four civilians from the same family, including three children, were wounded in an airstrike by Russian planes on the…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4150

Location

Rami town, Idlib, Syria
بلدة الرامي
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
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4152

Location

Al Neirab, Idlib, Syria
النيرب
One child was killed and up to four civilians, including two children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on a refugee camp near Al Neirab town, Idlib governorate, on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported that a child was killed and four others were injured "following the targeting of a…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS385 RS4153

Location

Sermisax, Al Hassakah, Syria
سرمساخ
One civilian was reported killed and between five and ten others wounded allegedly when Turkish or Russian forces opened fire on protesters in Sermisax, in Qamishli - Syria on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources. ANHA reported that Serkheboon Ali was killed, and the following civilians were among the injured: Bahoz Çelo,  Fehed Mûsa,…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
View Incident