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

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4216

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة,
The Shaam News Network reported that Russian and regime warplanes carried out strikes across numerous towns in Idlib, leading to wounding "dozens" of civilians. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
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Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4217

Location

Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Up to 14 civilians including two women were reported killed and between 11 and 20 others including two children were injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on a vegetables market, Souk Al-Hal, in Maarat Al Numan in Idlib, Syria on December 2nd, 2019 according to local sources.  Multiple sources indicated that…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
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Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4218

Location

Central prison, Idlib, Syria
السجن المركزي
According to local sources, between three and seven civilians, including one women and her two children, were reported killed, and up to 28 others including four children and four women were reported injured allegedly when Russian or Syrian regime warplanes targeted the Central Prison, in western Idlib in Syria on December 2nd 2019. A local…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
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Incident Date

1 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4212

Location

Kafr Nabl, Syria
كفرنبل
Three civilians were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike or artillery attack on the Joni neighborhood of Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on the morning of December 1st, 2019. The injured civilians were identified as “Ali Qamar al-Obeido,” “Omar Muhammad Khair al-Obeido” and “Aboudi Maher al-Obeido” by a number of sources. KMC…

Summary

Published
1 December 2019
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Incident Date

1 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4213

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
Between five and ten civilians, including two children and two women, were reported injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Hass in Idlib, Syria, on December 1st 2019 according to local sources.  A local source, Wasim Alkhalf, reported that this incident happened at 3.15pm. The source also identified four of those injured…

Summary

Published
1 December 2019
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Incident Date

1 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4211

Location

Tal Karseean, Idlib, Syria
بلدة تل كرسيان
Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on Tal Karseean in Idlib, Syria on December 1st 2019 according to local sources. According to multiple sources including Syrian Network for Human Rights, Ibrahim Mohammad al Hussein and his nephew, Sayyed Hasan al Hussein, were killed in the attack. Syrianpc…

Summary

Published
1 December 2019
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