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

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3734

Location

Al Ziyadiya, Idlib, Syria
الزيادية
Three men were killed and up to six others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Ziyadiya, Idlib governorate, on May 31st, 2019, according to local sources. The village of Ziyadiya was struck by artillery shelling believed to have been carried out by the Syrian regime forces from…

Summary

Published
31 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3733

Location

Benin, Idlib, Syria
بنين
Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and his child was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the road between the village of Benin and Al Dana district on May 31st, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "Marwan Hussein al Ali, who was displaced from Eqerbat town in Hama…

Summary

Published
31 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3732

Location

Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Five civilians, including at least two children, were killed and up to ten more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCivilDefe) reported that "five martyrs elevated and 10 others were injured, trapped under…

Summary

Published
30 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3731

Location

Kfarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
Up to two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kfarouma, Idlib, May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. Step News and Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that a father and a daughter had died in the bombardment. Meanwhile, Local Coordination Committee for Syria only referred…

Summary

Published
30 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3730

Location

Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
الهبيط
At least three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. @NagiNajjar reported that "three civilian men were martyred as a result of an airstrike by the warplanes of the Assad forces on the outskirts of the town…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3729

Location

Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
A man and his two young children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara town in the Jabal al Zaweya area in Idlib on May 29th, according to local sources. The wife of the victim died of her injuries sustained in the attack on June 2nd. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
View Incident