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

RS4251

Location

several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Dozens of civilians were reportedly wounded as the result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on several locations in Idlib governorate on December 16th, 2019. Shaam News Agency reported that the airstrikes targeted the city of Ma'arat Al Numan and the villages and towns of Deir Al Sharqi, Al Haraki, Al Harman, Harran, Abumaki,…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4258

Location

Badama, Idlib, Syria
بداما
One civilian was reportedly injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the town of Badama, Idlib Governorate on December 16th 2019, according to local reports. @HalabTodayTV and @NagiNajjar reported that Syrian regime positions shelled the town and the area surrounding it. @HalabTodayTV said a civilian was injured as a result. An unnamed source…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4240

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
عدة بلدات
Shaam News reported on December 7th, 2019 that "dozens of people were wounded in the cities and towns and villages of Kafr Nabl, Ahsam, Hazaran, Hass, Khirbet Bernan, Farwan, Al Halba, Halah, Barasah, Sheikh Idris, Abilene, Kafr Sijnah, Balshron, Kafrouma, لآarisa, Rayan, Maarizita and Al Bureij And Urma Al Jouz and Kafr Takharim , Al…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4241

Location

Al Barah, Idlib, Syria
بلدة البارة
At least four civilians, including one child and two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes that coincided with Syrian regime artillery strikes in the city centre of Al Barah on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported that Russian raids targeted the main street…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4242

Location

Abdita, Idlib, Syria
إبديتا
As many as seven civilians, including a woman, five children and a man, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Abdita, Idlib governate on December 7th 2019, according to local media. Three sources said a child, Abdullah Al-Zaidan, died from wounds he sustained in the strike. The Syrian Human…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4243

Location

Bajghas, Idlib, Syria
بجغاص
One child was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were injured in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on the village of Bajghas, Idlib governate on December 7 th 2019, local media reported. Several sources said Youssef Hajj Jassem, 13, was killed in the strike. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "The…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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