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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4050

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
One child was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, on August 18th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "the child Adib Mustafa Qal’a Ji was killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 18th." Halab Today also reported that "a…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
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Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4049

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One civilian was reported killed and two members of Syrian Civil Defense injured in the second of two consecutive alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, on August 18th, 2019. Shaam News reported that, following a previous airstrike, "when civil defense teams arrived at the site to evacuate the wounded, Russian warplanes repeated its raids…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
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Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4048

Location

Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One to two civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in airstrikes on Al Hamidiah in Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 18th. Shaam News documented "two martyrs killed in Maarat al-Nu'man", while other sources cited one civilian killed in the incident. @IdlibPlus tweeted "a civilian martyr and a number of injuries were reported as…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
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Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4045

Location

Ma'arat Hurma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
One civilian was reported killed at Ma'arat Hurma on August 18th during the ongoing assault on rebel held areas by Russia in support of the regime. Shaam News reported the death of one civilian at the hands of suspected Russian aircraft at Ma'arat Hurma - giving the date as August 18th. Two named civilians had…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
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Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4047

Location

Al Hamediya, Idlib, Syria
الحامدية
One named civilian was reported killed and two White Helmet rescuers injured in a reported Russian strike on Al Hamediya in Idlib. According to the Syrian Network, "Russian forces killed a civilian in al Hamediya area in Idlib: Abdul Qader Mahmoud al Asfar was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
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Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4046

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
During another day of heavy Russian and Assad regime strikes on rebel-held areas of Idlib, one civilian was reported killed and another wounded in Kafr Sijnah according to local sources. A tweet from @baladinetwork identified a "martyr and wounded as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the town of Kafr Sijnah." Shaam News noted that…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
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