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

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4160

Location

Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
كفرومار
One women was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governorate, on November 11th 2019, according to local sources. Smart News Agency reported that "a woman was killed as a result of rocket shelling on the village of Kfarouma, south of…

Summary

Published
11 November 2019
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Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4159

Location

Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria
بلدة بسقلا
A child was killed and at least one woman injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the village of Bsaqla on November 11th 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the victim as child Mustafa Yaser al Hasan from Ma’ar Zita village. Step News agency put the number…

Summary

Published
11 November 2019
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Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4158

Location

Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria
معرتماتر
One civilian was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Ma'ar Tamater, Idlib governorate, on November 11th, 2019, according to local sources. Abad Zekra, director of the Civil Defence Force in Ma'arat Al Nouman, told Smart News Agency that alleged Russian air raids wounded a civilian, who was taken to a nearby medical…

Summary

Published
11 November 2019
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Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4161

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
One woman was reportedly killed and three male civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Ma'aret Harma, Idlib governorate, on November 11th, 2019, according to local sources. Activists told Smart News Agency that a woman was killed in an alleged Russian rocket strike. Moataz Al Ali, director of the Civil Defence Center…

Summary

Published
11 November 2019
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Incident Date

10 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4157

Location

Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
كفرومة
Between five and seven civilians, including three children, a nurse and a journalist, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kfarouma in Idlib governorate on November 10th, 2019. Between eight and 11 civilians, including children, were injured, as reported by local sources. Step News Agency reported that Russian air…

Summary

Published
10 November 2019
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Incident Date

10 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4156

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Several alleged Russian artillery strikes targeted the city of Kafranbel and the towns of Marzita, Parisa, Hass, Maarat Harmah, Musharrafa and Fatira in Idlib governorate, according to Shaam News Agency. It is unclear if there were civilian casualties. Further details are unavailable to Airwars.

Summary

Published
10 November 2019
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