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
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3985

Location

Latmeen, Hama, Syria
لطمين
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, Hama, on August 1st. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Ahmad Mohammad Abo Zaid, from Helfya city in the northwestern suburbs of Hama governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on Latmeen village in the northern suburbs of Hama governorate, on August…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

31 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3984

Location

Kafar Zeiba, Idlib, Syria
كفرزيبا
Two children were killed and up to seven civilians, including at least one woman, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafar Zeiba, Idlib governorate, on July 31st, 2019, according to local sources. Al Araby wrote: "The bombing of the village of Kafar Zeiba, near the city of Ariha,…

Summary

Published
31 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3983

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Two civilian males were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019, according to local sources. A @jisirtv correspondent reported: "Two civilians were injured as a result of the airstrike on the city of Saraqib a short while ago"." Edlib…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3982

Location

Mouqa, Idlib, Syria
موقا
Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Mouqa, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019. @Step_Agency reported that "Russian warplanes targeted the town of Mouqa in the southern countryside of Idlib" @Syrian191124 tweeted: "Helicopters targeted with barrel bombs the vicinity of the village of…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3981

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, which targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib countryside around 12:30 PM on July 30th, 2019. Step Agency wrote that "the Russian air force targeted several airstrikes in Khan [Sheikhoun], Moka and Jbala villages in the southern…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3980

Location

Jbala, Idlib, Syria
جبالا
Local sources reported that Russian forces shelled the town of Jbala in Idlib governorate on July 30th, 2019, wounding an unknown number of civilians. @MasarPressNet tweeted that "civilians were wounded as a result of Russian warplanes bombing on the outskirts of the town of Jabala in the southern countryside." Edlib Media Centre and @Stepp_Agency also…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
View Incident