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

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4229

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
One man was injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Hass, Idlib Governorate on December 4th 2019, according to multiple reports. The Syrian White Helmets, Al Hadath Syria and Idlib plus all reported that a man had been injured and accused Russia of carrying out the strike. @NagiNajjar said Russian planes targetted…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
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Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4232

Location

Nahr Abyad, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
النهر الأبيض
An unknown number of civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib governorate, on December 4th, 2019, according to sources. Shaam News Network reported that "activists said that heavy airstrikes by Russian warplanes targeted the Nahr Abyad area in the Jisr al-Shughur area, leaving wounded civilians".…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
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Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4231

Location

Kafrsijna, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
As many as four civilians, including three men and one child, were killed and between two to three civilians, including three men, were injured in a series of alleged Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Kafrsijna, Idlib governorate, on December 4th 2019, according to local sources. A Syrian Civil Defence (SCD) volunteer told Smart…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
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Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4233

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
As many as three civilians, including two children and one teacher, were killed, and up to 11 civilians, including four children and women, were injured in a series of alleged airstrikes carried out by either the Syrian or Russian airforce which targeted the city of Saraqib on December 4th, 2019. The strikes hit residential areas…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
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Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4230

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Dozens of civilians, including children and women, were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 4th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network reported that the "very violent air raids" targeted locations south of the international M4-line in the southern countryside of Idlib,…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
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Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4227

Location

Urum Al Joz, Idlib, Syria
أورم_الجوز
At least one civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged regime or Russian strikes on the village of Urum Al Joz on December 3, 2019. According to @oulaalassaad, civilians were wounded when the regime dropped barrel bombs on the village of Urum Al Joz but did not specify how many civilians were involved. @la1mea and…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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