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

26 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3708

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama, on May 26th. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Khaled Mustafa Ulwan al Faraj. Two sources attributed the strike to the Syrian regime, while Step News Agency did not positively attribute blame, and Halab Today TV named Russia as the…

Summary

Published
26 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3709

Location

Al Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, Syria
الشيخ مصطفى
Step Agency and Smart News reported that one civilian was killed in air raids on the village of Al Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, on May 26th. Step News agency attributed the attack to Russia, initially reporting that "several people were injured" in the "Russian raids" that "coincided with a rocket attack". In a later post, Step…

Summary

Published
26 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3711

Location

Sfwhen, Idlib, Syria
سفوهن
Up to two civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Sfwhen, Idlib, on May 26th. Syrian Network for Human Rights claimed that "two civilians from the same family" were killed in the strikes, while Halab Today TV stated that "a young man was killed" in the attack. Local Coordination Committees of Syria identified one…

Summary

Published
26 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

25 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3707

Location

Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria
الفطيرة
A woman was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Fattira, Idlib governorate, on May 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured. The Syrian Civil Defense, Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a woman was killed in…

Summary

Published
25 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

25 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3706

Location

Kafar Nabil , Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
A 5-year-old boy was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on May 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Seven civilians, including three women and three children, were injured. Rabea al Ta’ta’, age five, was reported killed by a number of sources following airstrikes on Kafar Nabil. @abdallh37777 posted a…

Summary

Published
25 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3702

Location

Msibein, Idlib, Syria
مصيبين
Multiples sources reported that a man and his child were killed in airstrikes on Msibein, Idlib, on May 24th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights named those killed as Ahmad Abdul Wahed Takko, and his daughter Aseel. Step News Agency and Mohamed al Hmady reported that Russia was responsible for the airstrikes, while many other sources…

Summary

Published
24 May 2019
View Incident