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

16 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4657

Location

الطريق بين باب الهوى وسرمدا, Road between Bab Al Hawa and Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
Ten civilians were injured in the second incident of a strike on the Sarmada, reportedly carried out by Russian or Syrian regime forces, on October 16th, 2021. The strike represents a significant escalation of violence observed in the past month. Details of the first incident are archived under incident R4402 on the Airwars site. Syria…

Summary

Published
16 October 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4656

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
13–23
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4655

Location

كفر عمة, Kafr Amma, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4654

Location

التفاحية, Al Tuffahiya, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4653

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2021

Incident Code

RS4651

Location

مخيم في قرية باتنته, Refugee camp near Batinta, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident