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

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4226

Location

Al-Barsa, Idlib, Syria
البرسة
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the village of Al-Barsa on December 3, 2019. The correspondent for @HalabTodayT reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Al-Barsa in southeastern Idlib. A tweet from @MasarPressNet identified "injuries" as resulting from strikes but did not specify how many.…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4215

Location

Al Sarman, Idlib, Syria
الصرمان
Local sources reported that one civilian, a woman, was killed and at least six others were injured, apparently her children, in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Al Sarman in Idlib, Syria on December 2nd 2019. A local social media user, ammar.kat, posted on Facebook that this raid happened by a MiG-21…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4225

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Russian and Syrian warplanes launched dozens of alleged air and artillery strikes on cities and villages across Idlib governorate on December 4th 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network wrote that the airstrikes "targeted the perimeter of the city of Maarat al-Numan, cities and towns of Kafranbel, Hish, Qatra, Ras al-Ward, Hass,…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4224

Location

Kafar Shlaya, Idlib, Syria
كفرشلايا
A child was injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian air- and artillery strikes on a mosque in the village of Kafar Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 3rd, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and rocket shelling” on dozens of cities…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4223

Location

Kafarrouma, Syria
كفروما
Three civilians, including one man, were reportedly injured in an alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafarrouma, Idlib governorate, on December 3rd 2019, according to local sources. @Step_Agency said helicopters used barrel bombs to target the center of Kafarrouma, injuring three civilians. Wasim Alkhalaf said helicopters initially targeted the village at…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4222

Location

Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
محمبل
One man was killed and others injured, including a child, after an alleged airstrike by the Syrian government or Russian military in the village of Mhambel, in the western Idlib countryside on December 3rd 2021, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs near Ali…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
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