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

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4244

Location

Balyoun, Idlib, Syria
بلدة بليون
Between four and 11 civilians, including women and children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in Balyoun village, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Around fourteen more non-combatants were injured. There are many conflicting reports about the number of civilian casualties. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4245

Location

Talmans village, Idlib, Syria
تلمنس
As many as three civilians, one man, one woman and a child, were killed and as many as 14 others, including three women and a child, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a marketplace in the village of Talmans, Idlib Governate on December 7th, 2019 local media reported. According to…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4246

Location

Kafr Shlaya, Idlib, Syria
كفرشلايا
As many as two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian White Helmets said: "A young civilian was injured and destroyed in civilian homes in the village of Kafr Shalaya, west of Jericho,…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4247

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
As many as two men were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the Russian raids targeted “the towns of Kafr Nabl, Hass, and the vicinity of Kafruma and Ad-Dhahabiya in…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4248

Location

Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
كفرومة
One man was reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governate on December 7th, 2019, according to local reports. Mohamad Rasheed said one man was injured in Kafrouma by Russian airstrikes and barrel bombs. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that Russian aircraft had…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4249

Location

Balchoun, Mount Zawia, Idlib, Syria
بلشون
Between one and two men were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Balchoun, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib News Network said: "A man was wounded when Russian occupation warplanes bombed the outskirts of the town of Balshon in Idlib countryside." Idlib Plus…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
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