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

8 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4620

Location

عين لاروز, Ain Larouz, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilians was killed and three others, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian, Iranian or regime artillery shelling on the town of Ain Larouz on August 8, 2021. @syriapostnew1 reported that "a civilian was killed and 3 others were wounded as a result of artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces targeting…

Summary

Published
8 August 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7–8 August, 2021

Incident Code

RS4617

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria
Between two and five civilians, including two to five children that were all siblings, were killed and five to six others, including a child, were injured by Russian and/or regime shelling in the village of Qastoun on the night of August 7th, 2021, multiple sources reported. In a tweet, the Syrian Civil Defence named the…

Summary

Published
7 August 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7–8 August, 2021

Incident Code

RS4619

Location

الزيادية, Al Ziyadiya, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians, including a woman, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Al Ziyadiya on August 7, 2021. @OrientNews and other sources identified civilians as being injured but did not provide a number of how many. Syrian Civil Defense posted that the strikes on Al Ziyadiya "resulted in the injury of a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4618

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery and missile strikes on Ariha on August 7, 2021. Zaman Al Wasl reported that "two civilians were injured, one of them in a serious condition, this afternoon, Saturday, as a result of intense artillery and missile shelling by the regime forces, which targeted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4616

Location

الصحن, Al Sahen, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a child, was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on villages of Al Sahen on August 6, 2021. @HalabTodayTV reported that "Regime forces and Russia target with laser-guided missiles the villages of Al-Sahn in Al-Ghab Plain and Joseph in Jabal Al-Zawiya, causing the injury of a child". Syrian Civil Defense…

Summary

Published
6 August 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4615

Location

تديل, Tadel, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime shelling of Tadel on August 1, 2021. According to @Ahmad_1alshble, "a civilian was injured by shelling by Assad's gangs that targeted residential houses and agricultural lands in the town of Tadel". A tweet from @rdwanalshhwan identified the civilian injured as a "young man". Syria TV…

Summary

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