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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

16 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4656

Location

Sarmada, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
سرمدا
At least four people were killed and up to 23 others wounded in the first of two Syrian or Russian artillery or airstrikes in one of the most populated cities in Idlib, Sarmada, on October 16th 2021. One of those killed was reported to be police chief Saad Eddin Berri; sources said it was likely…

Summary

Published
16 October 2021
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Incident Date

12 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4655

Location

Kafr Amma, Aleppo, Syria
كفر عمة
At least five children were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Kafr Anna, Syria on October 12th 2021. Two sources mentioned another civilian was also injured; one source mentioned that a woman and a man were injured alongside four children. The names of the children were widely reported as: Mahmoud Khalil, 10…

Summary

Published
12 October 2021
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Incident Date

11 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4654

Location

Al Tuffahiya, Idlib, Syria
التفاحية
At least three civilians were killed and others were injured, one seriously, in alleged Russian or regime strikes with Kornet missiles and/or thermal missiles on the village of Al-Tuffahiya on October 11, 2021. Zaman Al Wasl reported that three civilians were killed and another one was wounded in regime and Russian militia strikes with a "Kornet"…

Summary

Published
11 October 2021
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Incident Date

8 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4653

Location

Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria
معارة النعسان
Between three and four civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime shelling of the town of Maarat al-Naasan on October 8, 2021. According to Syrian Civil Defense, three civilians were injured, one critically, in shelling on the town of Maarat al-Naasan by the regime and Russia. They added that their volunteers inspected the area…

Summary

Published
8 October 2021
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Incident Date

1 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4651

Location

Refugee camp near Batinta, Idlib, Syria
مخيم في قرية باتنته
At least one woman was killed and two other civilians, a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on a refugee camp near the village of Batinta on October 1, 2021. Al Mashreq Agency reported that a woman was killed and two other civilians, including a woman and a child,…

Summary

Published
1 October 2021
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Incident Date

1 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4650

Location

Umm Al Reesh, Idlib, Syria
أم الريش
At least one civilian, a child, was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Umm Al Reesh on October 1, 2021. Al Mashreq Agency reported that a child was wounded in shelling on the village of Umm Al Reesh. Both @itsnotsuhad and @mzmgr941 also identified one child as being injured. Both Al Mashreq Agency…

Summary

Published
1 October 2021
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