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 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4626

Location

بلشون, Balshoun, Idlib, Syria
A least one man was killed and one to two other civilians were killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Balshoun on August 16, 2021. Sources are contested as to whether the man killed was a civilian or a belligerent. The correspondent for @HalabTodayTV reported that a civilian was killed in…

Summary

Published
16 August 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4625

Location

كفرتعال, Kafr Taal, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Russian or regime or Iranian strikes on Kafr Taal village on August 14, 2021. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, "a two-year-old child was injured by missile strikes by the regime and Russia forces, this morning, Saturday, August 14, targeting civilian homes…

Summary

Published
14 August 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4624

Location

كفر نوران, Kafr Nouran, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery and machine gun fire on the village of Kafr Nouran on August 11, 2021. @spc_fr reported that "a civilian was injured as the #regime forces bombed the village of #Kafr Noran in the western countryside of #Aleppo with heavy machine guns". Other sources reported…

Summary

Published
11 August 2021
Strike Type
Artillery, Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4623

Location

برزة, Barze, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Barze on August 11, 2021. According to the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), "a civilian was killed while he was collecting firewood, in artillery shelling by the Assad regime forces targeting the surrounding mountains of Barzeh". The correspondent for Zaman Al Wasl reported that…

Summary

Published
11 August 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4622

Location

معرزاف, Maarzaf, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed in regime and/or Russian shelling in the village of Maarzaf on August 10, 2021, multiple sources reported. Four sources also reported injuries from the incident, but none gave any estimate of how many. Little information was given on the identity of the person killed. SY-24 reported the victim was a man.…

Summary

Published
10 August 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
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

10 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4621

Location

تديل, Tadel, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two children were killed in regime and/or Russian shelling in the village of Tadel in the countryside of Aleppo on August 10th, 2021, according to multiple sources. The majority of sources reported the death of one child and the injury of two of her siblings. The child who died was named by four…

Summary

Published
10 August 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident