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

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4034

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
At least one civilian was killed in an alleged double tap Russian airstrike on August 16, 2019 in Ariha, Idlib. Saleh Ahmed Qurbi was reportedly killed by a Russian airstrike while trying to help those that were wounded in an earlier Russian airstrike. Posts from @FSLA2011and a list from the Syrian Human Rights Committee identified Russia…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
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Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4036

Location

Qaryal al Rahma near Hass, Idlib, Syria
Up to 20 civilians, including children and a pregnant woman, were reported killed and up to 52 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qaryat al Rahma which contains an IDP residential compound near Hass, Idlib, on August 16th, 2019. Local sources named 19 of those killed in the incident including at least three children.…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
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Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4035

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
Four civilians including two children were reported killed and 20 others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on August 16th, 2019. Dala'a Mutee' Bakir or Dala'a Khaldoun Bakir was reported killed first, and then three other wounded civilians died after few days due to their wounds sustained on August…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
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Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4037

Location

Al Ghadfa, Idlib, Syria
الغدفة
One child was reported killed and at least three other civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al Ghadfa, Idlib, on August 16th, 2019. Both Shaam News and Step Agency reported that "Russian and Syrian warplanes launched several airstrikes" on a number of cities and towns including Al Ghadfa, on August 16th. Shaam News and other…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
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Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4038

Location

Hiysh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
At least one woman was killed and a woman and "others" were reported injured in airstrikes on Hiysh, Idlib, on August 16th. Syrian Network for Human Rights names Mrs. Eman Shahhoud al Azraq, from Khan Sheikhoun city, as the victim killed in airstrikes by the Syrian regime on Hiysh. Smart News reported, "Russian warplanes shelling…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
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Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4031

Location

Bsqia near Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria
بسقيا قرب معرة حرمة
In the first of two consecutive airstrikes near Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, two medical workers for Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) were reported killed on August 14th. SMAS USA reported "a SAMS-supported ambulance center in Ma’aret Hurmeh in southern Idlib province was targeted by six airstrikes, resulting in the death of two employees: Mohamad Hussni Mishnen,…

Summary

Published
14 August 2019
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