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 4,843 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.
4,843 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.
3,027 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

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3861

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
A single source reported three civilians killed, and six injured, in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on July 2nd. According to Syrian Coalition News, "three civilians were killed and six others, including three children and a woman, were wounded in the attack on the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province by the regime's…

Summary

Published
2 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3862

Location

Ma’arat Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة أو معرتحرمة
Up to three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’arat Harma, Idlib governorate, on July 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other civilian was wounded. @AleppoAMC tweeted that "a civilian was killed in an airstrike on the town of Ma'arat Harma in the southern…

Summary

Published
2 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3863

Location

Madaya, Idlib, Syria
مدايا
Seven to 30 people were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Madaya, Idlib governorate, on July 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. Sources are conflicted about the number of civilians among the victims. While Step News Agency reported "news of a massacre of civilians in the town of…

Summary

Published
2 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3859

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
One to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 1st. IdlibPlus alleged "two martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of the targeting of Russian warplanes in the city of Khan Sheikhoun," while Syria Civil Defense documented the death of three civilians in the attack. Meanwhile, Syrian…

Summary

Published
1 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3858

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة أو معرتحرمة
Up to three civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in an airstrike on Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, on July 1st. According to Step News, "three people were killed as a result of injuries following Russian raids targeting the town of Ma’aret Harma south of Idlib." @abuhuzaifa_ stated that two of those killed were Abdullah Mohammed…

Summary

Published
1 July 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3855

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
One civilian was reported killed and several others injured as a result of an airstrike on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 30th. Ariha Today stated that "Russian warplanes launched air raids on the town of Khan Sheikhoun and the town of #Kafr Sijnah in the southern countryside of Idlib, causing the fall of a civilian…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
View Incident