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

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

19 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4185

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source, the Shaam News Network, reported: "Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships carried out air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the city of Kafrnabal, the towns of Verkia, Kafar Sijna Shanan, Maarat China, Kerasa, Jabalya, Naji, Musharrafa, Kafr Fasnajah, on the roofs of the monastery, in Termla, Hazarin, Dar al-Kabira and Ma'arzita.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2019
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Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4168

Location

Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Three civilians of the same family were reported killed and three others injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Kafar Sijna, Idlib in Syria on November 12th, 2019. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), three brothers were killed and three others injured due to barrel bombs dropped by…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
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Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4163

Location

Kafar Rouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
A man was reported injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Kafar Rouma in Idlib, Syria on November 12th, 2019 according to local sources. IdlibPlus reported that " a man was injured in the town of Kfarouma as a result of the targeting of his home by a Russian aircraft by a raid of…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
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Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4162

Location

Al Jidar village, Idlib, Syria
قريه الجدار
Two men were reported injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on al-Jidar village in Idlib on November 12th, 2019 according to local sources. No more details available at the moment.

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
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