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

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4086

Location

Ma'ar Shourin, Idlib, Syria
معرشورين,
Up to four civilians, including a child and one to two women, died and seven others were injured in alleged Russia or regime raids on Ma'ar Shourin on August 27, 2019. The majority of sources pointed to the use of barrel bombs. A Facebook post by Nabed Maarshourin listed the names of those killed: Wael Abdulaziz Al-Qaddour, Abdul…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
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Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4087

Location

Tal Mans, Idlib, Syria
تل منس
One civilian died and others injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on TalMans, according to local media. Step reported: "Russian warplanes and helicopters targeted all the towns of the southern and south eastern Idlib countryside with barrels, killing...one civilian in Tal Mnes". Justice Organisation blamed the regime for the death of Abdul Ilah…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
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Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4088

Location

Al Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
الغدفة
Several civilians were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on a hospital in Al Ghadafa, according to sources on the ground. Smart reported: "two guards are still trapped under the rubble of the hospital targeted by Russia vacuum missiles, noting that civil defense teams are trying to reach the scene of the bombing to…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
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Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4084

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Edlib Media Centre and @abo_aljod84 reported: "A woman was injured when Russian warplanes raided the town of Ma’aret Harma, south of Idlib". However, later @MOHAMADJAPAS said that civilians were wounded as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’aret Harma. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
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Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4079

Location

Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Two civilian males died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Sijna on August 26, 2019, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported: "Russian warplanes targeted the town of Kafar Sijnain in the southern countryside of Idlib with missiles, killing two people as a toll and injuring a number…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
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Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4080

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Up to five civilians died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Kafar Nabil, local media reported on August 26, 2019. Smart reported: "The media activist in the city Baha Sweden said that Russian aircraft launched missile strikes on residential neighborhoods coinciding with artillery and rocket shelling…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
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