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

25 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4705

Location

شنان, Shanan village, Idlib, Syria
One child was injured as a result of artillery shelling by Russian or Syrian regime action targeting the village of Shanan, south of Idlib on Sunday 24th July 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that they took the injured child to hospital for treatment and that he was injured "lightly".

Summary

Published
25 July 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4703

Location

الموزرة, Al Mozra, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of the village of Al Mozra on July 22, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that one civilian was wounded by artillery shelling by the Syrian regime and Russian forces on the village of Al Mozra. Various other sources, including the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4704

Location

الجديدة, Al Jadida, Idlib, Syria
Up to eight civilians, including four to five children, were killed and up to 17 civilians, including between eight and nine children and a woman, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of Al-Jadida village and the outskirts of Al-Janoudia village on July 22, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that seven…

Summary

Published
22 July 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture (Livestock), Vehicle (Motorcycle), IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
13–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4702

Location

بليون, Balion, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling of the village of Balion on July 8, 2022. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, a young man was wounded in artillery shelling of the village of Balion by the regime and Russian forces. Civil Defense volunteers took the injured man to…

Summary

Published
8 July 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

4 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4701

Location

معارة النعسان, Maret Al Nassan, Idlib, Syria
A pregnant woman and a child were killed and between one and three others, including up to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery/heavy machine gun attack on the village of Maret Al Nassan on July 4, 2022. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, a woman was killed and two children were injured in alleged…

Summary

Published
4 July 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 June 2022

Incident Code

RS4700

Location

القاهرة, Al Kahira, Hama, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Al Kahira on June 16, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a civilian was wounded when Syrian regime and Russian forces struck his car with a guided missile in the town of Al Kahira in Al-Ghab Plain. A tweet…

Summary

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