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

15 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4572

Location

معرزاف, Mu’arzaf, Idlib, Syria
At least one person was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Mu’arzaf on June 15, 2021. According to @HalabTodayTV, "one person was killed and others were injured as a result of shelling by the regime forces with heavy artillery targeting the village of Maarzaf". @anasanas84 added…

Summary

Published
15 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or 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

14 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4571

Location

مرعيان, Mara’yan, Idlib, Syria
Between three and four civilians, including a woman and two to three children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling on Mara’yan village on June 13, 2021. According to Macro Media Center, "a woman and her three children were injured as a result of artillery shelling by Assad's gangs and Russian militias targeting a…

Summary

Published
14 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4566

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
At least one man was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Sarja on June 12, 2021. According to Syrian Civil Defense, "the village of Sarja was subjected to similar raids, which resulted in the injury of a man." @syr_television referred to "civilians" being injured but did not provide a specific number. None…

Summary

Published
12 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4569

Location

منطف, Mantaf, Idlib, Syria
Between one and two civilians, including at least one woman, was killed and up to nine others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mantaf on June 12, 2021. According to Syrian Civil Defense, "the killing of a woman and the wounding of 7 civilians, including 3 children, in Russian air strikes targeting residential neighborhoods…

Summary

Published
12 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4568

Location

كفرلاتا, Kafrlata, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes and artillery strikes on Kafrlata on June 12, 2021. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "on June 12, a shell fired by Syrian regime artillery forces exploded near a house in Kafr Lata village in the south…

Summary

Published
12 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2021

Incident Codes

IRS008 YS105 RS4570

Location

عفرين, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and others were injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces and/or Russian and/or Iranian airstrikes on agricultural lands and the al-Shifa Hospital on the outskirts of Afrin, Syria, on June 12, 2021. According to the Macro Media Center, "a civilian was killed and others were wounded as a result of…

Summary

Published
12 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare (Hospital), Agriculture, Residential
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military, YPG
View Incident