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

19 January 2023

Incident Code

RS4752

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Idlib, Syria
Four to nine civilians, including three children and a woman, were reported injured as a result of alleged Russian forces, Syrian regime, or Iranian militia artillery fire on January 19th 2023 in Qastoun, Idlib, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, four civilians were injured from the same family (three children and…

Summary

Published
19 January 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2023

Incident Code

RS4751

Location

البارة, Al Bara village, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a man named Bassam Mustafa al-Othman, was reportedly killed as a result of artillery shelling from contested Russian forces or Syrian regime actions, on January 18th 2023, in Al Bara, Idlib. Zamal al Wasl also reported that one civilian was injured in this same attack. The White Helmets reported that this shelling was…

Summary

Published
18 January 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
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

5 January 2023

Incident Code

RS4750

Location

مخيم الفروسية, the Equestrian (Al Forosiyah) camp, Al Foua, Idlib, Syria
On January 5th 2023 local sources including the White Helmets reported that five civilians, including four children and one woman were injured when missile strikes contested from Russian or Syrian regime forces actions hit them in a resident house near the Al Fourousia camp on the outskirts of Al-Foua town, in the Idlib countryside. The…

Summary

Published
5 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2023

Incident Code

RS4754

Location

كفرنوران, Kafr Noran, Aleppo, Syria
A civilian woman was killed and at least one other civilian, a child, was injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of the town of Kafr Noran on January 22, 2023. According to the @SyriaCivilDefe, a woman was killed by artillery shelling carried out by the Syrian regime and Russian forces in Kafr Noran.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 December 2022

Incident Code

RS4749

Location

سفوهن, Sfuhen, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was seriously injured by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery shelling of the village of Sfuhen on December 22, 2022 The @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that a civilian was seriously injured while herding sheep when artillery shelling, carried out by Syrian regime and Russian forces, struck the village of Sfuhen. Other local sources…

Summary

Published
22 December 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 December 2022

Incident Code

RS4748

Location

اليونيسية, Obin (Al Younisiya), Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, including a child, were killed and up to seven others, including a woman and a child, were injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime guided missile strikes on the village of Obin (Al Younisiya) on December 2, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that three civilians from the same family including a child were killed…

Summary

Published
2 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident