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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

5 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4819

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
On 5 October 2023, intense artillery and missile bombardments allegedly by the Syrian regime and/or Russian Military caused the death of at least one civilian and the injury of 14 civilians, including 4 children and 3 women, in the city of Ariha (Jericho). A Facebook post from local source "Jericho, the bride of the north"…

Summary

Published
5 October 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4820

Location

Majdalya, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was injured after an alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian-affiliated missile strike on the town of Majdalya, in southern Idlib, on October 5th, 2023. Most sources reported that one civilian was injured. However, a Facebook post from Muhammad al-Adlabi claimed that a man “and his child” had been injured, but this has…

Summary

Published
5 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

5 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4821

Location

Deir Sinbol, Idlib, Syria
At least one woman was injured after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery hit the town of Deir Sinbol on October 5th, 2023. Neither the woman’s name, nor other identifying characteristics, have been made available. @MohamadDaba9966 reported that the strike hit an armed vehicle, “killing and wounding” those inside the car "on the #Hantoutin-#Dersanbel road"…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4822

Location

Binnish, Idlib, Syria
At least one man was injured after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery shelling in the southern periphery of the town of Binnish, east of Idlib on October 5th, 2023. On Facebook, Bunch Now alleged that there were “light injuries” amongst the civilian population, but multiple injuries were not reported elsewhere. Syrian Civil Defense reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4826

Location

جسر الغشور, city market in Jisr Al Shughour, west of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
On the morning of Thursday, October 5, 2023, in a town of Jisr Al Shughour located west of Idlib, Syria, artillery bombardement with contested responsibility — reportedly by the Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military — struck the city's popular market and residential neighborhoods, killing at least one child and injuring at least 12…

Summary

Published
5 October 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2023

Incident Code

RS4823

Location

ادلب, a main road and a camp in Idlib outskirts, Idlib, Syria
Two men were reportedly killed, one man injured and up to more than 30 civilians were wounded after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian and/or Iranian artillery struck the outskirts of Idlib town in Syria on Thursday, October 5th, 2023. Idlib Media Center and Revolution Radio Facebook accounts posted images of the clouds of smoke arising…

Summary

Published
5 October 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–31
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident