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

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3534

Location

Kafrsajna, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Local sources reported that attacks with barrel bombs on Kafrsajna in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 led to injuries among civilians. HalabTodayTV reported saying "Wounded civilians as a result of bombing the village of Hass and the surrounding town of Kafrsajna rural Idlib South with explosive barrels." @IdlibPlus blamed the Syrian regime and tweeted "Helicopters…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
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Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3529

Location

Kafr Ain, Idlib, Syria
كفر عين
One child, most local sources say a girl, was injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Ain in Idlib on September 8th, 2018. @maraya404 tweeted "A child girl was injured in a raid by the Assad regime, on Kafr Ain, south of Idlib." @IdlibPlus said that barrel bombs were used in…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
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Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3533

Location

Al-Sarj, Idlib, Syria
السرج
A pregnant woman was killed with her unborn baby, and others including a woman were injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike or artillery attack with rockets on Al-Sarj village in Idlib on September 8th, 2018, according to local sources. The victim was identified as Ola Riyad al-Daher.  Bawabat Hama posted "Mrs.…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
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Incident Date

1 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3518

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
Between one and three medical staff members of the Nabd Al Hayat Hospital or Sham Hospital in the town of Hass were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on September 8th, 2018, according to local sources. @BonnieKipperman reported that the Sham hospital had completely run out of service due to barrel strikes by Syrian…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
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Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3532

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
A woman was reported killed, and a Syrian Civil Defence photographer and a volunteer got injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces targeted a center for White Helmets in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib on Sep 8th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News said that "The Russian warplanes launched several air raids on the…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
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Incident Date

8 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3531

Location

Al-Halba, Idlib, Syria
الهلبة
One civilian was killed and six others injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces attacked with explosive barrels Al-Halba village in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence said "A civilian martyred, and six others wounded, as a result of helicopter bombing that targeted the village of Al-Halba…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
View Incident