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

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4206

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
At least one civilian was reportedly wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on Hass during nighttime on November 26th, 2019. One civilian had been wounded according to Idlib Online. According to Step News, an unspecified number of civilians had been injured. Most sources reported that helicopters and/or warplanes targeted the town with air…

Summary

Published
26 November 2019
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Incident Date

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4207

Location

Maarzita, Idlib, Syria
معرزيتا,
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strike on Maarzita on November 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Syria Live blamed the regime, reporting: "[There were] civilian injuries due to the artillery shelling of pro-Assad forces on Maarzita town in the southern countryside".  Step News Agency,…

Summary

Published
26 November 2019
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Incident Date

25 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4201

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفر سجنة
Local media reported that one or two civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Sijnah. Edlib Media Centre said  that a "civilian was wounded following the targeting by Russian occupation aircraft of the town of kfrsjna southern idlib with Rockets." According to Shahba Press, Russian strikes on Kafr Sijnah resulted in "civilian…

Summary

Published
25 November 2019
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Incident Date

25 November 2019

Incident Codes

CS1938 ISSY007 RS4202

Location

Tarhin, Aleppo, Syria
ترحين
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, Israeli or US-led Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village, Aleppo governorate, on November 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians were wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "local sources said that six explosions were heard in different areas, and…

Summary

Published
25 November 2019
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Incident Date

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4199

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
On November 24th, 2019, in Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, local and social media reported that civilians were wounded as a result an alleged Russian airstrike. Four missiles were alleged to have been fired, and at least one man was reported injured. According to the White Helmets, "a man was injured as a result of four airstrikes…

Summary

Published
24 November 2019
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Incident Date

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4200

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
On November 24th, 2019, a man and a women were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Heesh town, Idlib. Local sources and social media reported on the airstrike. HalabTodayTV reported "A man and a woman were injured in a Russian air strike targeting the town of Heesh in the southern countryside of…

Summary

Published
24 November 2019
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