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 Date Publication Date

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

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

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4198

Location

Maarat Naasan, Idlib, Syria
معارة النعسان
Three civilians, including a child, were reported killed and up to five others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma'arat AlNaasan in Idlib, on November 24th 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defense said the six civilians are from one family and named the killed ones: Reema Ramadan, aged 60, Mohamed Omar Ramadan aged…

Summary

Published
24 November 2019
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Incident Date

24 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4197

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل,
On November 24th, 2019, multiple sources reported that four people were injured in the city of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib by multiple airstrikes from Russian aircraft. Idlib Plus reported that "four people were wounded in the city of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib, by several air strikes by Russian aircraft." @AyhamSteif on Twitter reported…

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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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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