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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

14 August 2020

Incident Code

RS4531

Location

البادية السورية, Syrian Badia, Homs, Syria
Civilians were reported killed and injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Syrian desert, or Al Badia Al Souria, on August 14th, 2020. @so_ria98 reported intense airstrikes by Russian warplanes in several areas of the desert and stated there were reports of civilian casualties, as well as the targeting of a car believed to be…

Summary

Published
14 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2020

Incident Code

RS4530

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians have been killed and up to seven injured due to multiple alleged airstrikes by Russian and Assadi forces on the town of Binnish, Idlib province on August 3rd 2020. Ariha post reported the names of three civilians from one family killed in the strike : Majed Ibn Jassim Al-Mohammed, Majid Ibn…

Summary

Published
3 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4529

Location

تل واسط, Tal Waset, Idlib, Syria
One man was killed and at least one civilian, a woman, was injured by alleged Russian or regime airstrikes or artillery strikes on the village of Tal Wasit, Hama on July 19th 2020. Syrian Civil Defense reported: “A civilian was killed and a woman was seriously wounded today, Sunday, July 19, by artillery and missile…

Summary

Published
19 July 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
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

15 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4528

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Idlib, Syria
One child has been killed and up to 12 injured, including as many as eight children and three women in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al-Bab, Idlib on July 15th 2020. Smart news initially reported: “A child was killed and eight others were injured Wednesday, by Russian warplanes shelling in the city…

Summary

Published
15 July 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4524

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Between four and five civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured and 2 civilians, a child and his father, died as a result of alleged Russian, Syrian or Iranian artillery shellings or air strikes on residential neighborhoods of the city of Ariha in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 14,…

Summary

Published
14 July 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4525

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, a man and a woman, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or artillery shelling in the town of Kansafra in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 14th 2020, according to local sources. All sources reporting on civilian harm from the incident in Kansafra consistently mention that two civilians, a…

Summary

Published
14 July 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident