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

30 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4124

Location

Kafar Nabil , Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Two or three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Nabil, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, "The director of the Civil Defense Center in Kafr Nabil, Obeida Othman, said that three civilians were slightly injured and taken for treatment at a medical point, as a result of two…

Summary

Published
30 October 2019
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Incident Date

28 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4121

Location

Dar Al Kabira, Idlib, Syria
دار الكبيرة
Two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Dar Al Kabira, Idlib countryside, on October 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported on Facebook that civilian homes were targeted. All three sources attributed the strikes to Russia. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
28 October 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

28 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4123

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Three men were killed and two to five others injured after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on October 28th 2019, according to local sources. It remains contested whether the victims were civilians or militants. @SyrianCoalition reported that 3 men were killed and 2 injured after Russian warplanes bombed residential…

Summary

Published
28 October 2019
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Incident Date

28 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4122

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian warplanes launched fierce airstrikes targeting the city of Kafranbel, the towns of Rakaya, Hass, Hazarin, Fatira, Dar al-Kabira and Jibala .The Assad artillery bombarded the town of Ma'rat Harmah, resulting in the fall of three martyrs in Kafr Nabil and several wounded in the rest of the regions". No…

Summary

Published
28 October 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

26 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4120

Location

Tiqad village, Aleppo, Syria
تقاد
One to two civilians were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm in the village of Fiqad, Aleppo countryside, on October 26th, 2019, according to local sources. The Smart News agency reported: "A civilian was injured on Saturday by Russian air strikes on a village west of Aleppo in northern Syria." Local activists told…

Summary

Published
26 October 2019
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Incident Date

24 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4119

Location

Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria
الجانودية
Seven or eight civilians died and 15 to 18 others were wounded in alleged regime or Russian strikes on Al Janoudia the afternoon of October 24, 2019, local media reported. Edlib Media Centre reported: "Artillery and rocket shelling by regime forces targeted the town of al-Janodiya in the Jisr al-Shughour area of ​​western Idlib countryside…

Summary

Published
24 October 2019
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