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 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

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

7 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4522

Location

كفر عويد, Kara Awaid, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported injured during alleged Regime or Russian artillery shelling on residential neighborhoods of the town of Kara Awaid in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 7, 2020. Multiple sources such as @TVIdlib, @ShahbaPress and @Syria TV reported that four civilians were injured in the artillery shelling. However, other sources…

Summary

Published
7 July 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4523

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on the town of Kansafra on July 7, 2020. A tweet from @BelalBayoush90 reported that three civilians were injured by heavy artillery and rocket launcher attacks on the town of Kansafra, attributing the attack to the regime while @thawrat111 identified two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2020

Incident Code

RS4521

Location

قرية القاهرة, Al Qahera Village, Hama, Syria
On July 3 2020, multiple sources report that a civilian named Fahd Suleiman Al-Basis was killed while picking fruit in the fields outside of Al Kahera by artillery shelling. While the vast majority of sources state that the shelling was carried out by the Assad regime, two state that the strikes were the result of…

Summary

Published
3 July 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2020

Incident Code

RS4518

Location

بليون, Balyon, Idlib, Syria
On June 9, 2020, alleged Russian air strikes on Baylon resulted in the deaths of two civilians, including a woman, with multiple sources stating that between four and eight civilians were injured, including several children between the ages of 4-14. Abdullah Ahmad al-Dani was reportedly killed by a strike on his home on June 9,…

Summary

Published
9 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident