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 August 2022

Incident Code

RS4711

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret al-Nassan, Idlib, Syria
A seven-year old boy, Mohammed Abdel Kafi, also referred to as Zain Abdul Kafi Al-Masli, was injured by a shrapnel from artillery fire while playing next to his home in Maaret al-Nassan, east of Idlib on August 13th 2022. According to @hafeztaraman, the incident occured in the evening before the Maghrib call to prayer. The…

Summary

Published
13 August 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

13 August 2022

Incident Code

RS4710

Location

بالقرب من بلدة النيرب بريف إدلب الجنوبي الشرقي, Near the town of Neirab in the southeastern countryside of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, Amer Hussein al-Asmar, from the town of Halfaya, was killed by a landmine explosion of the remnants of the battles near Jubas while he was collecting figs near the town of Neirab in the southeastern countryside of Idlib on August 13th, 2022. Local media sources state that the victim was married and left…

Summary

Published
13 August 2022
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2022

Incident Code

RS4709

Location

الباره, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
A woman was injured in an alleged missile strike by Russian or Syrian regime forces in the Al Bara district in Jabal Al Zawiya in southern Idlib on August 6th, 2022. The woman’s injuries were not specified though @RadioAlKul tweeted that she was “slightly injured” whereas all other sources reported that she was injured without…

Summary

Published
6 August 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

Incident Date

2 August 2022

Incident Code

RS4708

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
One civilian farmer was injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian thermal missile attack, which destroyed his car on the morning of August 2nd, 2022, in Al Bara, a southern town of Idlib. No further reports of civilian harm have been reported. The farmer was named by @abualisar18 and @g5VgKRPXfPQdfz9 as Ammar Mustafa Al-Qajji. He…

Summary

Published
2 August 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2022

Incident Codes

YS145 RS4707

Location

كفرتعال, Kafr Taal, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were killed and up to two others were injured in artillery shelling allegedly carried out by Russian forces, the Syrian regime, or the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Syrian Civil Defense tweeted (@SyriaCivilDefe) that two children, Youssef and Abdul Baset Jadoua, were killed and the father of Youssef, named Mustafa Jamil Jadoua, and Ahmed…

Summary

Published
30 July 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, YPG
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4706

Location

كفرتعال, Kafr Taal, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, a young man, was injured when Russian or Syrian regime forces shelled Kafr Taal in the western Aleppo countryside on July 27th 2022.  There is no further information at this time.

Summary

Published
27 July 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