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

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

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

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

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4144

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One civilian was killed and three others were wounded after an unexploded cluster bomb of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike was detonated in Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on November 6th, 2019. Justice Organization identified the victim as Omar Al Bassas. A tweet from @NagiNajjar reported "the death of the young man, “Omar…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4145

Location

Sahara town, western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria
بلدة السحارة
As many as eight civilians, including children and women, died and up to 29 more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on civilian homes and adjacent locations in Sahara town, western Aleppo countryside at noon on November 6, 2019, according to sources on the ground. The New York Times later geolocated the event. The lowest…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4141

Location

Maashuren town, Idlib, Syria
بلدة معرشورين
Three civilians died and two more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maashuren town, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported: "Russian aircraft targeted the town of Maarshuren in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing three civilians and wounding two others seriously." The Shaam News Network also noted a death toll…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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