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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

30 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4209

Location

Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
الغدفة
A woman and a man were reportedly injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ghadafa in Idlib, Syria on November 30th, 2019, at noon. According to Eldor News quoting an Al-Durar Al-Shamiya Network correspondent, the two civilians had only been lightly injured. A Baladi correspondent claimed that the civilians had been seriously wounded…

Summary

Published
30 November 2019
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Incident Date

30 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4210

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
At least woman was reportedly injured by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike or artillery attack on Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on November 30th 2019. The media source Kefranbell.com identified the victim as the wife of the "martyr" Waheb al-Obeidu. A number of sources claimed that several civilians had been injured without specifying the…

Summary

Published
30 November 2019
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Incident Date

27 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4208

Location

Bkafla or Al Naher Al Abyad, near Jisr Ash Shughour, Idlib, Syria
بكفلا أو النهر الأبيض
One young male civilian was reportedly killed and at least nine others, including one woman and at least four members of the Syrian Civil Defense, were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russia and/or Syrian regime forces artillery strike on Bkafla or Al Naher Al Abyad, near Jisr Ash Shughour in the evening of November 27th…

Summary

Published
27 November 2019
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Incident Date

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4204

Location

Karsa’a, Idlib, Syria
كرسعة
Two civilians, including a child, were killed and several others were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Karsa’a, according to local media. Idlib Plus said two men were killed, and civilian homes were damaged. Zaiton Mag pointed out that the strikes occurred in residential neighborhoods. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
26 November 2019
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Incident Date

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4205

Location

Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria
الفطيرة,
Two or three civilians were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on al-Fatira town, local media reported. @ShahbaPress tweeted: "A child and a woman were injured in shelling by Assad helicopters with explosive barrels on al-Fatira town of southern Idlib countryside." Other sources put the wounded toll at three. According to the White…

Summary

Published
26 November 2019
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Incident Date

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4203

Location

Iblin, Idlib, Syria
ابلين
One man was wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Iblin in Jabal Al-Zawiya on the morning of November 26th, 2019, according to local media. The White Helmets reported that "explosive barrels by helicopters belonging to Assad forces" hit "the outskirts of Iblin village in Idlib countryside." Several sources reported that a total of…

Summary

Published
26 November 2019
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