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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

19 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4275

Location

area between al Hlubba village and Ma’ar Shamarin, Idlib, Syria
الواقعة بين قرية الهلبة ومعر شمارين
A least one civilian, a journalist, was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the area between al Hlubba village and Ma’ar Shamarin on December 19, 2019. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Milad Ahmad al Fares, from al Hlubba village in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike…

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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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

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4272

Location

Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
الغدفة
One man was reportedly injured and died as a result of his injuries in the aftermath of an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ghadafa, southeastern Idlib, on December 18, 2019, during daytime. The man was identified by several sources as Abdel Qader Al Khaled. He was injured during the airstrike and was first transferred…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
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Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4269

Location

Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Four men were killed in allegedly Russian and Syrian regime air- and artillery strikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. The four male victims were identified as Muhammad Ziyad Al Abd, Abd Al Razzaq, Yaman Serjawi and Fares Ahmad Al Salloum. The Syrian Civil…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
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Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4268

Location

Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib, Syria
معرشمارين
At least one civilian was reportedly killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma'ar Shimmareen, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Agency has put the death toll at six killed people, but it is unclear if the victims were civilians or…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
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