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

25 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4074

Location

Tal Mnes, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians including women and children died in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Tal Mnes on August 25, 2019, according to local media. Smart reported: "Three children and two women were killed and 10 civilians were taken to nearby field hospitals as a result of the regime's warplanes shelling residential neighborhoods in…

Summary

Published
25 August 2019
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Incident Date

24 August 2021

Incident Code

RS4633

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Up to five civilians including a child were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Nabl in Idlib on August 24th, 2019. @oHA8k9FRkEve1LK reported the Syrian Civil Defence saying "Five people, including a child, were injured as a result of two air strikes by warplanes targeting 3 residential neighbourhoods and a…

Summary

Published
24 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

21 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4068

Location

Tal Mnes, Idlib, Syria
تل منس
Between one and two civilians were killed and between three and five civilians, including at least three children, were injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime barrel bombing of the Grand Mosque and surrounding neighborhoods in Tal Mnes on August 21, 2019. This was one of two strikes that occurred on the same day in…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
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Incident Date

22–23 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS4072

Location

Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 22nd. Edlib Media Center cited "two martyrs and several wounded, as a result of the regime's helicopter bombardment with explosive barrels on the southern neighborhood of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city." Meanwhile, Syria Civil Defense stated that "three civilians were killed…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
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