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

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4252

Location

Binnish town, Idlib, Syria
بنش,
As many as three civilians, two children (siblings) and a woman, were killed and five family members, including a child and a woman, were injured in as many as six alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Binnish, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local media reports.…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4253

Location

Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria
معرشمارين
As many as five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed and dozens of civilians, mostly women and children, were injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ma’ar Shmareen, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to multiple sources. The names of those killed and injured indicate several…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4254

Location

Jazraya, Aleppo, Syria
جزرايا
Up to two people were injured in up to four alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jazraya, Aleppo Governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. SMART News reported that one person was injured by Russian aircraft. The Syrian White Helmets reported injuries following the strike. Shaam News said there had been no…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4255

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
An unknown number of civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes in Ma'aret al-Nu'man city, Idlib governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Agency reported that "dozens of people were wounded"  following Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on towns and cities across the Idlib countryside including Ma'aret…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4256

Location

Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
One person was killed and several civilians wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafarouma, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. Iskenderun Arabic reported Russian aircraft struck the town four times between 20:38 and 20:55 on December 16th, 2019. According to the source, strikes on Kafarouma and the town…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4257

Location

Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
جرجناز
At least one civilian was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Jarjanaz, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to local reports. The Syrian Civil Defence reported on Facebook that "civilians were wounded by rockets targeting the Russian occupation air force, in the town of Jarjanaz, south of…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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