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

8 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4844

Location

ادلب المدينة, Al-Khamara Street, Idlib City, a camp for displaced persons in the outskirts of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shortly before 8:04 AM in the morning and once again in the afternoon of Sunday, October 8th, 2023, the center (in particular, an area around Al-Khamara Street) and outskirts of the city of Idlib, Syria, were hit by heavy artillery bombardment attributed to Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military. The strikes resulted in at least…

Summary

Published
8 October 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Commerce (Market), Healthcare, Residential
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
12–31
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4843

Location

الأبزمو, Al Abzemo, Aleppo, Syria
On the evening of Sunday, 8th October 2023, an alleged bombardment with missiles reportedly carrying incendiary ammunition by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military caused moderately serious injuries to three civilians: a father Salwan al-Yousef, his 13-year-old daughter Fatima Salwan Al-Yousef, and his infant son Mohamed Salwan Al-Yousef who was only three months old. The…

Summary

Published
8 October 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4836

Location

الأتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
Shortly before 3:37 AM on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, a civilian man was killed and a number of civilians were reportedly injured due to an artillery strike with the contested responsibility - allededly perpetrated by the Syrian regime and/or Russian or Iranian military in the city of Al Atareb in the western countryside of Aleppo,…

Summary

Published
7 October 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4837

Location

طراف مدينة إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
On the evening of Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at least one civilian man was wounded on the outskirts of Idlib, Syria, in the bombardment allegedly perpetrated by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces.  However, some sources reported that a number of civilians were injured. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets,…

Summary

Published
7 October 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4838

Location

جسر الشغورجسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour city, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, including a 44-year-old woman and a man, were injured and a number of civilians were reportedly killed shortly before 8:56 AM on the morning of Saturday, October 7th, 2023, due to the bombardement reportedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military on the residential neighborhoods of the Jisr Al Shughour city, west…

Summary

Published
7 October 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Religious, Commerce (Market), Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4839

Location

كفرلاته, Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria
Before 7:11 AM on the morning of Saturday, October 7th, 2023, the village of Kafar Lata in the southern countryside of Idlib, Syria, was hit by a missile bombardment attributed either to the Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military and/or Iranian forces, resulting in the death of two children, and the injury of another…

Summary

Published
7 October 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident