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

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

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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Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4219

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
One civilian was reported killed, and five others injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike that targeted Al Hal Market in Saraqib, Idlib in Syria on December 2nd 2019 according to local sources. Jesr Press reported that Nashaat Al-Ahmad, aged 25, died of his injuries before arrival to hospital. According to…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
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Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4214

Location

Al Kana’es, Idlib, Syria
الكنائس
According to local sources, Hussein Khreimi was reported killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike in Al-Kanayes village, on the outskirts of the villages of Tal Kresyan and Al-Bara in the eastern Idlib countryside, Syria on December 2nd 2019. According to @sraqeb123, this raid happened at 9.56am.

Summary

Published
2 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

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4220

Location

Al Ghadfa, Idlib, Syria
الغدفة
A woman and a man were reported injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike in Al Gadfa in the countryside of Maarat al-Numan Idlib, Syria on December 2nd, 2019, according to local sources, apparently targeting a civilian home. The "young" man was identified as Hudhayfa Al-Hamoud by local sources. According to…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
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