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

2 February 2021

Incident Code

RS4548

Location

قورقانيا, Qurqania, Idlib, Syria
Two people were seriously injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mountainous area in Qurqania, north of Idlib on February 2nd, 2021. @SuheylAli said that vacuum missiles were used in the attack. This wasn't the only attack that took place on the day, as local sources reported similar attacks on Harbanoush, Kafr Arrouq and…

Summary

Published
2 February 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2020

Incident Code

RS4546

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a man, was reported killed and an unknown number of civilians sustained injuries as a result of alleged Regime, Russian and/or Iranian artillery shelling on the town of Al Bara in the Jabal Al-Zawiya area in the southern countryside of Idlib on November 23, 2020. Baladi News and the Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
23 November 2020
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

17 November 2020

Incident Code

RS4545

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a man, was reported killed and one civilian sustained injuries as the result of an alleged Russian and/or Regime strike on the village of Sarja in the southern countryside of Idlib on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported that “A 30-year-old Syrian citizen, named…

Summary

Published
17 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2020

Incident Code

RS4544

Location

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria
A civilian died when his house in Qastoun village, Hama governorate, collapsed on November 17th, 2020. According to local sources, the man's home had been previously severely damaged by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes. The Syrian Civil Defence reported: "A civilian died, today, Tuesday, November 17, in the town of Qastoun in the western…

Summary

Published
17 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2020

Incident Code

RS4543

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians, including one child, and up toaround 12 others, including one child and four women were injured as a result of alleged artillery shelling by Syrian Regime and/or Russian forces on the city of Ariha, south of Idlib on the morning of November 4th 2020 according to local sources and news agencies.…

Summary

Published
4 November 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 October 2020

Incident Code

RS4542

Location

تلتونه, Taltuna, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed and five others were injured after an alleged airstrike by a Russian or Syrian or Iranian drone on agricultural lands in the village of Taltuna, west of  Ma'arat Misrin north of Idlib on the morning of October 31st, 2020 according to local sources. According to sources including Orient news and…

Summary

Published
31 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident