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

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4271

Location

Jisr Ash Shughur, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
One child was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Jisr Al Shughur on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. @Baladinetwork tweeted that "a child was injured due to a raid by the warplane, which targeted the city of Jisr Al Shughour in the western Idlib countryside". @Sy_intelligence reported…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
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Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4267

Location

Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
دير الشرقي
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), one civilian was killed in Russian bombardment of Deir Sharqi village in Idlib, Syria on December 18th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
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Incident Date

18 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4270

Location

Khan As Subul, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
One man was reportedly killed and at least three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Khan As Subul, Idlib governorate, on December 18th, 2019, according to local sources. A number of sources, among them Facebook user Mohammad Alsafar, identified the victim as Atta Muhammad al-Hamdun. @oulaalassaad…

Summary

Published
18 December 2019
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Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4261

Location

Babila, Idlib, Syria
بابيلا
At least one civilian was reportedly killed and others were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian artillery/airstrike on the village of Babila, Idlib governorate, in the early morning of December 17th, 2019. The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified a victim killed as Othman Al-Diab. Edlib Media Centre claimed as the only source that the…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
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Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4260

Location

several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Several people were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 17th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam reported that the following towns were targeted with airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes: Ma'rat Al Nu'man, Ariha, Jisr Al Shughur, Ma'shammaran, Zayn, Jarjnaz, al-Halbah, Tahia, Tataia, Al…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
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Incident Date

17 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4266

Location

Deir Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
دير شرقي
A young man was reportedly killed and another man injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Deir Sharqi in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate on December 17, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) identified the deceased victim as Abdul Rahman Khalil Al Jark (18). @MasarPressNet reported that regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on…

Summary

Published
17 December 2019
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