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

23 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4117

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعدده
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian warplanes launched air strikes amid artillery shelling by the Assad forces on the city of Kafrnabal and the towns of Maarat Harmah, Hazarin, Al-Rakaya, Kafarsijah, Al-Taht, Sheikh Mustafa, Babolin, Rakaya Sijnah, Al-Raffa, Umm Jalal and Tal al-Nar, which resulted in civilian casualties." No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
23 October 2019
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Incident Date

23 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4118

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One civilian was killed on October 20th, 2019, by fragments from an unexploded cluster bomb that was dropped earlier by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes in the city of Ma'aret al-Nu'man, as reported by several local sources. It is unclear when the bomb was dropped. Mostafa Abo Abdo said that the explosion took place…

Summary

Published
23 October 2019
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Incident Date

20 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4116

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
One civilian was allegedly injured as a result of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or shelling on Heesh in Idlib on October 20th, 2019. While @baladinetwork and @ZaitunAgency blamed the Syria regime, @Sentry_Syria  reported that a reconnaissance plane was flying in a circular direction on Heesh on that day, which could be an accusation to…

Summary

Published
20 October 2019
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Incident Date

20 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4115

Location

Idlib governorate, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and another wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting the perimeter of the villages of Kafrnabal, Amreya, Kafarsijnah, Maarat Harmah, Ma'rzita, Mukha and Sheikh Dams in Idlib governorate, according to local sources. @SyrianCoalition wrote that 11 airstrikes targeted 9 areas in Southern Idlib, in addition to 55 artillery shells.

Summary

Published
20 October 2019
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Incident Date

19 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4114

Location

Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
تفتناز
A man and woman from the town of Binnish were killed and three of their children injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a house in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on October 19th 2019, according to several local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that Russian warplanes bombarded the outskirts of Taftanaz town in the morning. The victims have…

Summary

Published
19 October 2019
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Incident Date

19 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4113

Location

Ma’ar Zieta, Idlib, Syria
معرزيتا
Several civilians were wounded and civilian property was significantly damaged in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Maarzita, Idlib governorate, on October 19th, 2019, as reported by several local sources. Shaam Network reported that "activists said that Russian warplanes bombed the town of Ma`ar zieta this morning with several raids, recording several wounded…

Summary

Published
19 October 2019
View Incident