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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4281

Location

Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
الدير شرقي
At least two men and one woman were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Deir al Sharqi, Idlib governorate, on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "a man, an elderly man and a woman" were…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
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Incident Date

21 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4282

Location

Badama, Idlib, Syria
بداما
A civilian was killed and his father, mother, and brother were injured as the result of an alleged Russian or regime drone strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib governorate, on December 21st, 2019, according to local sources. In total, up to five injuries were reported by local sources. A Syrian Civil Defence source told…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
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Incident Date

20 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4280

Location

Jisr Al Shughour, Aleppo, Syria
جسر الشغور
At least four civilians, including two children, were killed in an alleged Russian drone strike on the Jisr Al Shughur - Lattakia road near the city of Jisr Al Shughour, on December 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Local activists reported to SMART News Agency that "Russian drones had targeted a gathering of civilians on…

Summary

Published
20 December 2019
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Incident Date

20 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4279

Location

Kosniya, Aleppo, Syria
كوسنيا
Two or three civilians, including a woman, were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian  or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kosniya in Aleppo governorate on December 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Whereas SMART News Agency reported three wounded, including a woman, the Syrian Civil Defence reported that two civilians were injured. SMART reported that…

Summary

Published
20 December 2019
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Incident Date

19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4273

Location

Khan As Subul, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
A child was killed and at least four other civilians injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan As Subul in Idlib on December 19th, 2019 according to local sources. The child who lost his life was identified as Abdul Ghani Khaled al Ramadan. While the majority of sources reported the death of…

Summary

Published
19 December 2019
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Incident Date

19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4274

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
At least two children, two women and one man were reportedly killed, and up to 30 other civilians injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces artillery or airstrikes on Ma'aret al-Nu'man in Idlib in the evening of December 19th, 2019, according to local sources. Two other civilians reportedly died from their injuries caused by…

Summary

Published
19 December 2019
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