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

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4040

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on August 17th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Mohammad Ma’arati and Abdul Latif Tallawi were killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 17th". Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
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Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4039

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في ادلب
Shaam News reported a number of airstrikes in a range of locations undertaken by both Russian forces and the Syrian regime on August 17th. Among this report, Shaam News stated that "many of the wounded were in Khan Shiekhoon, Naqir, al-Rakaya, Kafarsijnah, Ma'arzita, Sheikh Dams, Hazarin, Shaykh Mustafa, Ma'rshurin, Haysh, Karsa, and Kfaruma." No other…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
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Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4044

Location

Ma`arat Horma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Two civilians were reported killed, and three others injured, in airstrikes on Ma`arat Horma, Idlib, on August 17th, 2019. Syria Civil Defense stated that "one man was martyred and three others were injured as a result of an airstrike targeting Maarat Horma town in the southern countryside of Idlib." A video posted by SCD shows…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
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Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4043

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on August 17th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Russian forces killed two civilians from the same family in Kafr Nabl city in Idlib: Othman Abdul Naser al Ta’ta’ and the child Abdul Naser Shahhoud al Ta’ta’ were killed as warplanes…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
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Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4042

Location

Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 17th. Shaam News reported that "two martyrs fell in Ma`arat al-Nu'man" as a result of "Assad's and Russia's warplanes and helicopters launch[ing] dozens of airstrikes" on a number of locations. Meanwhile, Baladi News stated that "warplanes bombed the city…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
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Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4041

Location

Dier Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
دير شرقي
Seven to eight civilians, including four to eight children and as many as two women, were reported killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Dier Sharqi, Idlib, on August 17th. A number of sources stated that all casualties were from the same family, and included only women and children. A tweet by @zamanalwsl…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
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