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

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3966

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Up to 13 civilians were reportedly killed and at least 22 others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, on July 27th, 2019 according to local sources. The airstrikes hit the western neighborhood and a popular market, and France 24 reported that the airstrikes hit two residential buildings. Members…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Civilians reported injured
22–41
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3967

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar Aouid, Idlib, Syria
At least two girls were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafar Aouid, Idlib countryside, on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. @baladinetwork tweeted: "The regime's warplanes bomb the village of Kafar Aouid in the southern countryside of Idlib." According to @IdlibPlus, civilian homes were targeted. According to…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3968

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
A man was killed in the explosion of unexploded ordnance from a previous alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on July 27th, 2019. It is unclear when the airstrike took place. Smart News Agency claimed that an unknown number of people were killed in a cluster bomb explosion, which was allegedly left from…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3969

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Three medics were killed when alleged Russian airstrikes hit their ambulance on the road between Kfar Zeita and Al Latamina town in Hama governorate on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. The paramedics were reportedly on their way to help civilians who were wounded in previous air and artillery strikes. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3961

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged Syrian or Russian airstrikes struck the Al Hal Market in Saraqib, Idlib governorate in the morning of July 26th, 2019, killing up to two civilians and wounding up to 10. According to Step News Agency, one civilian was killed while Shaam News Network reported two killed civilians. Smart News Agency…

Summary

Published
26 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3963

Location

البوابية, Al Baouabiya, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources alleged that Russian or Syrian airstrikes or missile strikes targeted Al Baouabiya in Aleppo on July 26th, killing up to three civilians and wounding three others including a woman. Sources said that the attacks started in the morning and continued through the afternoon. One of the victims Sari Al-Taleb, aged 27, used to…

Summary

Published
26 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident