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

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

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

RS4085

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفر نبل,
One civilian died and "many" more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafar Nabil on August 27, 2019, local media reported. @Abuhuzaifa_  tweeted an image with the caption: "A 90-year-old father takes the last glimpses of his remaining child, who was martyred by shrapnel from the shelling of the Russian occupation." According…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
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Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4083

Location

Kafr Aouid, Idlib, Syria
كفرعويد
Between two and three civilians died and 12 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Aouid, local media reported. Most sources blamed the regime, though there was also a report that Russia had been active over the area and a tweet from @ahmaad_yosef identified Russian planes as being responsible. According…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
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Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4082

Location

Abdita, Idlib, Syria
Two children and their mother were reported killed, and others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib on August 26th, 2019. Local sources identified the three victims as Jad Mahmoud Al-Ismail (child), Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Ismail (child) and Dalia Ahmed Fadl (most likely their mother). The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
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Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4081

Location

Ahsem, Idlib, Syria
احسم
Five or six civilians including two children were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Ahsem. Sources said that both a secondary school and a mosque were struck. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Ihsem Secondary School in Ihsem…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
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