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

28 October 2022

Incident Code

RS4735

Location

منطف, Mantaf, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was slightly injured by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of the village of Mantaf on October 28, 2022. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that a civilian was slightly wounded by Russian and Syrian regime artillery shelling of the village of Mantaf in the evening. Multiple other local sources, including @baladinetwork, reported on heavy artillery shelling…

Summary

Published
28 October 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

28 October 2022

Incident Code

RS4734

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians, three from the same family, were injured by repeated shelling carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces against the city of Darat Izza, Syria, on October 28, 2022. According to the @SyriaCivilDefe, four civilians, three of them from the same family, were wounded when two cars were hit by guided missiles…

Summary

Published
28 October 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2022

Incident Code

RS4733

Location

شنان, Shnan, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, including a child and/or woman, was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of the village of Shnan on October 24, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a woman was injured by Syrian regime and Russian shelling of the village of Shnan with tank shells. The Syrian Civil Defense added that…

Summary

Published
24 October 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2022

Incident Code

RS4732

Location

معربليت, Ma’rblit, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians, children, were injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of a vehicle in Ma’rblit on October 20, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that two children were injured by a guided missile launched by Russian and Syrian regime forces that struck a car of civilians working in olive picking in the…

Summary

Published
20 October 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2022

Incident Code

RS4731

Location

قرية الصحن, Al Sahen village, Idlib, Syria
One child was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of the village of Al Sahen on October 20, 2022. According to the @SyriaCivilDefe, a child was injured by artillery shelling of the village of Al Sahen carried out by Russian and Syrian regime forces. The Civil Defense forces assisted the injured child…

Summary

Published
20 October 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

17 October 2022

Incident Code

RS4730

Location

قرية نحلة, Nahla village, Idlib, Syria
One woman was injured by alleged Syrian regime shelling and/or Russian airstrikes on the village of Nahla on October 17, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a woman was wounded by Russian and Syrian regime artillery shelling of the village of Nahla. The Aleppo correspondent @HalabTodayTV also reported that a woman was injured. According to Baladi…

Summary

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