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

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

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

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

14 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4171

Location

Ma'rat Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Two children were reported killed and three members of their family including their mother injured in an alleged Russian airstrike, or Syrian regime forces barrel bombing on Ma'rat Harma town in Idlib, Syria, on November 14th, 2019 according to local sources. IdlibPlus said "Two children were killed and two men and a woman were injured…

Summary

Published
14 November 2019
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Incident Date

13 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4170

Location

Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
One man was reported injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Kafar Nubul in Idlib - Syria on November 13th, 2019, according to local sources. IdlibPlus said "A man was also injured in the city of Kafar Nabil as a result of the shelling by Russian warplanes with four air strikes." None of the other…

Summary

Published
13 November 2019
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Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4166

Location

Shannan, Idlib, Syria
شنان
Two to three civilians, including at least one woman, were killed and nine civilians, including five children and two women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Shannan, Idlib governorate, on November 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Idlib Plus reported that "three civilians, including a woman, were killed and nine others,…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
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