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

8 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4152

Location

Al Neirab, Idlib, Syria
النيرب
One child was killed and up to four civilians, including two children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on a refugee camp near Al Neirab town, Idlib governorate, on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported that a child was killed and four others were injured "following the targeting of a…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
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Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS385 RS4153

Location

Sermisax, Al Hassakah, Syria
سرمساخ
One civilian was reported killed and between five and ten others wounded allegedly when Turkish or Russian forces opened fire on protesters in Sermisax, in Qamishli - Syria on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources. ANHA reported that Serkheboon Ali was killed, and the following civilians were among the injured: Bahoz Çelo,  Fehed Mûsa,…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
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Incident Date

7 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4148

Location

Mishmishan, Idlib, Syria
مشمشان
Up to two children were reported killed and between four and seven civilians were injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Mishmishan in Jisr al Shoghour, Idlib - Syria on November 7th, 2019 according to local sources. It was reported that four civilians of the same family were among the…

Summary

Published
7 November 2019
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Incident Date

7 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4146

Location

Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Kafar Sijna, Idlib governorate, on November 7th, 2019, according to local media. The Step News Agency said that three civilians were wounded. Multiple other sources referred to civilians being injured but did not give a number. All of the sources…

Summary

Published
7 November 2019
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Incident Date

7 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4147

Location

Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفرومة
One civilian was killed and another one injured in an airstrike on the outskirts of Kfarouma town, Idlib governorate, on November 7th, 2019, according to local sources. @IdlibPlus tweeted that "a civilian was martyred as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the outskirts of Kfarouma town in the southern countryside of Idlib with airstrikes". MMC…

Summary

Published
7 November 2019
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Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4142

Location

Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Up to two civilians were killed and seven to eight were wounded by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on November 6th, 2019, according to local sources. A geolocation of the incident was provided by @john_marquee. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that Al Tharaya Mosque was…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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