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

7 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4640

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
ادلب
Between four and five civilians, including a child, were reported killed and up to 15 other civilians injured in alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery attacks in Idlib city, on September 7 2021. Andalou Agency was alone in reporting that the attack was also carried out by Iranian backed militias. This attack was widely noted…

Summary

Published
7 September 2021
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4637

Location

Al Rami, Idlib, Syria
الرامي
At least one child was injured in alleged Russian strikes on the outskirts of the town of al-Rami, Syria, on September 4, 2021. The Al-Jisr Network correspondent reported that a child was injured by Russian warplanes bombing on the outskirts of the town of al-Rami. Baladi News added that the child was injured to varying…

Summary

Published
4 September 2021
View Incident

Incident Date

3 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4636

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
At least one civilian, a child, was killed, and one to two others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes while grazing a flock of sheep on the outskirts of Kansafra, Syria, around 10 a.m. on September 3, 2021. Idlib Plus reported that the child Ali Ahmed al-Brouk was killed in Russian airstrikes on the town of…

Summary

Published
3 September 2021
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4635

Location

Al Farika, Idlib, Syria
الفريكة
A least one civilian, a 17 year old girl, was killed and one to two others were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Farika village on September 2, 2021. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a woman named Fatimah Adnan Hussein was killed while other civilians were injured in Syrian regime forces’…

Summary

Published
2 September 2021
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4634

Location

Tafas, Daraa, Syria
طفس
A major bombardment of the town of Tafas in Daraa caused up to three civilian deaths and up to six more injuries, according to extensive local reporting. Both the Assad regime and to a lesser extend Russia were blamed for the attacks. Horan Free Media, citing its local correspondent, initially described the death of one…

Summary

Published
26 August 2021
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4632

Location

Daraa Al Balad, Daraa, Syria
درعا البلد
At least one civilian was killed and six other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime or Iranian strikes on Daraa Al Balad on August 23, 2021. A tweet from @Almohrar1 reported that the young man Yazn Al-Omari was killed in the strikes on Daraa Al Balad. @omar_alharir added that a number of civilians were…

Summary

Published
23 August 2021
View Incident