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

13 September 2023

Incident Code

RS4808

Location

آفس, Afes, Idlib, Syria
A woman was left injured in Afes, Idlib by artillery shelling allegedly fired by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military on September 13, 2023. The woman had fainted after being struck by shrapnel, according to Shaam News — who labeled the Syrian regime as the perpetrator. Some other sources, including Al Mohrar, said the shelling…

Summary

Published
13 September 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

4 September 2023

Incident Code

RS4807

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
On September 4th 2023, one civilian was killed and another was severely injured in the city of Sarmin by intensive missile and artillery shelling allegedly by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian forces. According to Syrian Civil Defense, a civilian named Fadda Ibrahim Al-Muhaimeed, a 12-year old, was killed and her sister Nada Al-Muhaimeed, a 8-year old,…

Summary

Published
4 September 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2023

Incident Codes

SDF00017 RS4803

Location

عرب حسن, Arab Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
One woman was killed and another injured due to shelling and attacks in the village of Arab Hassan in the Jarabulus countryside, east of Aleppo on 2 of September, 2023. This attack was attributed to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Russian forces and the Syrian regime as the area is said to be under…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 September 2023

Incident Code

RS4806

Location

سَرْمِين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
On the evening of September 2nd, 2023, in Sarmin, Idlib, an incident with contested responsibility— reportedly either a Syrian regime artillery attack or a Russian airstrike—killed six-month-old Yaman Munther Baydoun and injured at least three other civilians, including a child, with casualties confirmed by multiple sources including the White Helmets organization. The majority of reports on…

Summary

Published
2 September 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2023

Incident Code

RS4804

Location

كفرتعال, Kafr Ta’al, Aleppo, Syria
A resident of Kafr Ta’al in Western Aleppo died after being wounded in an artillery shelling — allegedly fired by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military — on the morning of September 2, 2023. Civilians had rushed the injured Abdu Ahmad Qudur to a hospital, where he died the same day. Teams from the Syrian Civil…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 September 2023

Incident Code

RS4805

Location

السحارة, Al Sahara, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians - a man, his daughter, and another girl - were injured in Al Sahara, Western Aleppo, by artillery allegedly fired by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military on September 2, 2023. All three injured in the evening shelling were civilians, according to SCD News, and both girls were children. The shelling…

Summary

Published
2 September 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident