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

25 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4076

Location

Al Halba, Idlib, Syria
الهلبة
Local media reported one civilian killed and an unspecified number wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Halba on August 25, 2019. Horrya News reported that one civilian was killed in "Russian-Assadi aggression." Orient News also identified one man killed in Al Halba. Syrian Network for Human Rights also named Jamal Abdul…

Summary

Published
25 August 2019
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Incident Date

25–26 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS4077

Location

Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria
بسقلا
Local media reported that at least three civilians including a woman and a girl were killed and many were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bsaqla on the morning of August 25, 2019. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least three civilians, including a girl and her mother, were killed as…

Summary

Published
25 August 2019
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Incident Date

24 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4073

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في ادلب
Baladi reported: "Four civilians were killed and others were injured on Monday in shelling of warplanes in different areas of the towns and villages of Jabal Al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib." According to Shaam, "Russian and Assad warplanes launched fierce air raids targeting the cities and towns of Ma`arat al-Nu'man, Kafar Nabil, Al…

Summary

Published
24 August 2019
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Incident Date

22 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4069

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Four civilians from the same family were reported wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on August 22nd. Syria.liveuamap stated that "several civilians were injured as a result of air strikes targeting the city of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib." Edlib Media Center also documented "civilians wounded due to the regime's warplanes' rocket launchers targeting…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
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Incident Date

22 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4071

Location

Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
دير الشرقي
Five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian and/or regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, on August 22nd, 2019. Step Agency reported that "Russian and Syrian warplanes targeted [a number of locations], and five civilians were killed in Deir Sharqi". Two other sources documented the airstrikes, including Macro Media Center which reported that "warplanes…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
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Incident Date

22 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4070

Location

Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
تل منس
Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Tal Menes, Idlib, on August 22nd. Shaam News cited the death of two civilians, including a child, in Tal Menes as a result of Russian and Syrian regime military action in a number of locations, including Tal Menes. Halab Today stated that "a child and a man…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
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