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

4 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4638

Location

الكفير, Al Kafir, Idlib, Syria
Between one and four civilians, including one to two women and one child, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on al-Kafir on September 7, 2021. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), a woman was seriously injured in artillery shelling in al-Kafir @baladinetwork put the injury toll at three injuries from the…

Summary

Published
7 September 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4640

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
3–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4637

Location

الرامي, Al Rami, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4636

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Agricultural Land, Factory)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4635

Location

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

Incident Date

26 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4634

Location

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria
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
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident