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

28 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4089

Location

Telmans, Idlib, Syria
تلمنس
The Step News agency reported the death of one civilian in an alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strike on Telmans on August 28, 2019. Step News identified one civil as being killed while Smart reported that there were wounded civilians in a regime strike. A tweet by @alhariri58 described vacuum missiles as being…

Summary

Published
28 August 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4093

Location

Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
جرجناز
Local media reported that one civilian died in an alleged regime airstrike on Jarjanaz on August 28, 2019. Tweets from @MasarPressNet and @jisrtv both identified one civilian as being killed in the airstrikes. According to a tweet from @baladinetwork, "the regime's helicopters and warplanes bomb with six vacuum missiles and two explosive barrels, the town…

Summary

Published
28 August 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4091

Location

Al Tamani’a, Idlib, Syria
التمانعة
One civilian reportedly died and another was injured in an alleged Russian strike on al-Tamani’a. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, " a civilian was killed due to a Russian bombardment that targeted the farms of al-Taman’aa town south of Idlib". Edlib Media Centre said that a man died in a Russian airstrike.…

Summary

Published
28 August 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4090

Location

Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria
معصران
Two civilians - a man and a woman - died and up to five people were injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ma’saran on August 28, 2019, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "Ali Mustafa Sa'do and the girl Bayan Mohammad Matar were killed as Syrian regime…

Summary

Published
28 August 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4084

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Edlib Media Centre and @abo_aljod84 reported: "A woman was injured when Russian warplanes raided the town of Ma’aret Harma, south of Idlib". However, later @MOHAMADJAPAS said that civilians were wounded as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’aret Harma. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4088

Location

Al Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
الغدفة
Several civilians were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on a hospital in Al Ghadafa, according to sources on the ground. Smart reported: "two guards are still trapped under the rubble of the hospital targeted by Russia vacuum missiles, noting that civil defense teams are trying to reach the scene of the bombing to…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
View Incident