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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

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

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

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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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

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

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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