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

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4143

Location

Shannan village, Jabal Zawiya, Idlib, Syria
قرية شنان
Between one and five hospital staff were wounded in two alleged Russian airstrikes on Ikhlas Hospital for women and children in Shannan village, Jabal Zawiya, at dawn on November 6, 2019, local media reported. The New York Times later geolocated the event. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "fixed-wing warplanes we believe were…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4138

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Three civilians were reportedly injured in five Russian airstrikes on Ma'aret Harma village on November 6, 2019, according to IdlibPlus. A tweet from @NEDAAPOST also reported "three civilian casualties, as Russian warplanes targeted the town of Maarat Harmah in the southern countryside of Idlib" Resala also alleged that "artillery shelling of the pro-Assad forces" struck…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4139

Location

Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
مرديخ
One civilian was reportedly wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Mardikh, Idlib governorate, on November 6th 2019, according to local sources. Two locally filmed videos showed what appeared to be multiple strikes targeting the location. IdlibPlus reported one wounded civilian. Various other sources reported on the incident but did not identify civilian…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
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Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4140

Location

several towns, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Several towns in Idlib governorate were targeted by alleged Russian airstrikes on November 6th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network reported: "many wounded in the city of Kfarnbl and in the vicinity of the city of Ma'arat al-Numan, and the towns of Kfarsjnh, Rkaya, Shanan and Sahhal, Najia and Musharrafa, Sheikh…

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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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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