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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

16 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4177

Location

Maarzita, Idlib, Syria
معرزيتا‎
Three civilians were reported to have been killed and at least eight injured by either Syrian regime forces or Russian forces in an airstrike on November 16th 2019 in Maarzita, in the de-escalation zone in Idlib, northern Syria. According to various sources such as Halab Today and Syria TV, one civilian was a doctor on…

Summary

Published
16 November 2019
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Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4176

Location

Has, Idlib, Syria
حاس
On November 15th 2019, an alleged Russian airstrike hit the town of Has in the southern Idlib countryside, allegedly injuring at least one woman and an unspecified number of other civilians. Shahba Press reported, ‘A woman and other civilians were injured after Russian warplanes raided residential neighbourhoods in the south town of Has’. One source…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
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Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4175

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Between one and three civilians were reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike in the town of Ma’aret Harma, Idlib on November 15th 2019 according to local media and sources. Up to two of those killed were children. Various local sources reported that one child was killed in this airstrike, but Zaiton Mag News noted the…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
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Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4174

Location

Marj al-Dahr, Idlib, Syria
الضهر
On November 15th 2019, at least one person was killed and two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime strike in the village of Marj al-Dahr, near the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the Western countryside of Idlib, local media such as Media Idlib reported. Various local sources named the woman killed…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
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Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4173

Location

Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
A likely Russian airstrike killed a child and reportedly injured four other family members when missiles targeted a residential neighbourhood in the town of Kafrouma, south of Idlib, on November 15th 2019. While various local sources report that those injured were four sisters, others such as Zamal Al Wasl News report that amongst those injured…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
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Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4172

Location

Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
Up to five civilians including three children and a woman were reported killed and eight others including a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense injured in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery attacks on Al Bara in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, Syria on November 15th, 2019 according to local sources. Step Agency said…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
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