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

28 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4094

Location

سراقب,, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Eight civilians were wounded, including a woman, in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on a market in Saraqib on August 28, 2019, local media said. According to Smart, "On August 28, 2019, eight civilians were injured when regime warplanes bombarded the city of Saraqeb near Idlib in northern Syria. A medical source in the…

Summary

Published
28 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4085

Location

كفر نبل,, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died and "many" more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafar Nabil on August 27, 2019, local media reported. @Abuhuzaifa_  tweeted an image with the caption: "A 90-year-old father takes the last glimpses of his remaining child, who was martyred by shrapnel from the shelling of the Russian occupation." According…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4086

Location

معرشورين,, Ma'ar Shourin, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians, including a child and one to two women, died and seven others were injured in alleged Russia or regime raids on Ma'ar Shourin on August 27, 2019. The majority of sources pointed to the use of barrel bombs. A Facebook post by Nabed Maarshourin listed the names of those killed: Wael Abdulaziz Al-Qaddour, Abdul…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
7–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4087

Location

تل منس, Tal Mans, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died and others injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on TalMans, according to local media. Step reported: "Russian warplanes and helicopters targeted all the towns of the southern and south eastern Idlib countryside with barrels, killing...one civilian in Tal Mnes". Justice Organisation blamed the regime for the death of Abdul Ilah…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4088

Location

الغدفة, Al Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4084

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident