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

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

RS4527

Location

الدقماق, Al Dakmak, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were reported injured during alleged Syrian and/or Russian artillery shelling and/or airstrikes on the towns of Al Dakmak in the Al-Ghab Plain, west of Hama on July 14th 2020. The Syrian Civil Defence Forces of the Southern Directorate reported that two young men with injuries of varying degrees were rushed to…

Summary

Published
14 July 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4526

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
A number of civilians were reported injured when Russian warplanes targeted several towns in Idlib on July 14th, 2020, according to Shaam News which reported: "Russian aircraft launched air strikes targeting the villages of Sarjila, Benin, Kafaraweed, and Sufouhn, accompanied by very heavy artillery and missile shelling on the city of Ariha , villages, and…

Summary

Published
14 July 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
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

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