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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

21 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3933

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
A woman was killed and two civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that aerial strikes had been targeting civilian houses in the city since the morning of July 21st. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
21 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3928

Location

Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
Up to six civilians including five children were reported killed and up to ten others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafrouma in Idlib, Syria on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources. The youngest of the victims, Nour Al-Najjar was 6 months old. Zaman Al Wasl said some of the…

Summary

Published
21 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3929

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
At least 10 civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources. One of the victims died on September 23rd due to his injuries sustained in the strikes. One source reported eight fatalities. A SY-24 correspondent stated: "The correspondent…

Summary

Published
21 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3930

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
Four civilians were killed and at least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the city of Morek, Hama governorate, on July 21st, 2019, according to local sources. @Step_Agency reported that "four civilians were killed and another injured when the city of Morek in the northern countryside…

Summary

Published
21 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3921

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
Alleged Syrian and Russian forces carried out airstrikes on several locations in Idlib with high-impact rockets. According to Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene reported that "eight civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured by the targeting of the towns of Kansafra, Balyoun and Jabal al-Arba’een in the countryside of Idlib".…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3924

Location

Jabal Al Arba’een, Idlib, Syria
جبل الأربعين
Alleged Syrian and Russian forces carried out airstrikes on several locations in Idlib with high-impact rockets. According to Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene reported that "eight civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured by the targeting of the towns of Kansafra, Balyoun and Jabal al-Arba’een in the countryside of Idlib".…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
View Incident