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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3822

Location

Al Mastouma, Idlib, Syria
المسطومة
As many as 14 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Al Mastouma, Idlib governorate, on June 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to nine civilians were reportedly wounded. @SyrianCoalition reported "four martyrs, including three children and a woman, as a result of an airstrike by the Assad regime on the town of Al Mastouma…

Summary

Published
20 June 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3821

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
Three to six civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 20th. Step News stated that "six civilians - including a child and a woman - were killed, and seven others injured after an airstrike on the town of Heesh, south of Idlib." Meanwhile, Shaam News, also reporting six civilians slain, alleged…

Summary

Published
20 June 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3814

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
At least one woman was wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck a bakery in the town of Saraqib on June 19th, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported: "Civilian casualties following air raids on a bakery in the town of Saraqib in the eastern countryside of Idlib." Edlib Media Center reported that…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3818

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
At least one civilian was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’aret Harma on June 19th, 2019, according to local sources. @nabdalthwra reported that "a civilian was wounded as a result of the Assad warplanes targeting the town of Ma’aret Harma in the southern countryside of Idlib." Other…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3817

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, Hama governorate, on June 19th, 2019. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, "four were killed by aerial bombardment of Al-Lataminah" - a figure also cited by Shaam News. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that "Ra’fat Kallal al Saleh al Hamada was killed…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3816

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
Up to three civilians were killed when Syrian and Russian airstrikes allegedly struck the village of Kansafra on June 19th. Syrian Civil Defense forces who were present at the scene reported that missiles struck the village in the evening, killing thee civilians including a pregnant woman and wounding 14 others of whom five were women…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
View Incident