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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

20 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4059

Location

Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 20th. The Syrian Human Rights Committee documented the death of Rami al-Jarak as a result of Russian bombing of the city of Ma'arat al-Numan. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that "two men" were killed "in a Russian…

Summary

Published
20 August 2019
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Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4051

Location

Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
الدير الشرقي
A civilian was reported killed during Russian bombing of Deir al Sharqi in Idlib. According to Baladi News, "A civilian was killed at dawn on Monday when Russian warplanes bombed town of Deir Al Sharqi in the southern countryside of Idlib. The correspondent of Baladi News said that the cities, towns and villages of the southern…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
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Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4052

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
A Turkish military convoy crewed by civilian personnel came under air attack from regime forces (or possibly Russian) - leading to the reported deaths of up to three civilians and the injuring of a further 12. According to some sources, the convoy appeared to be attempting to deliver heavy armour including tanks and armoured personnel…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
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Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4053

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, on August 19th. Smart News documented "two civilians killed by regime warplanes on the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man city, south of Idlib", while @abuhuzaifa_ tweeted, "civilians wounded due to warplanes shelling residential neighborhoods of Ma'aret al-Nu'man city with vacuum missiles." Meanwhile @IdlibPlus…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
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Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4054

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
Three civilians, including a child, were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on August 19th 2019. Smart News cited "two civilians killed by Russian warplanes in Heesh town, south of Idlib" and @jisrtv tweeted that two civilians had been killed in the strike. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented "the death…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
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Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4055

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
One to two civilians were reported killed and others wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on August 19th, 2019. Local Coordination Committee for Syria documented "a martyr and a number of wounded [..] due to the shelling of Russian warplanes on the city of Kafr Nabl in the southern countryside of Idlib." Macro Media…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
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