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

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4027

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Four civilians were reported killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on August 14th. Step Agency tweeted that "three civilians, including a woman, have been killed and others injured due to raids targeting the city of Ma'ret Al Nu’man, south of Idlib." Meanwhile Shaam News and…

Summary

Published
14 August 2019
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Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4015

Location

Al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria
التمانعة
One civilian was reported wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Taman’a in Idlib on August 13th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
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Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4019

Location

Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
جرجناز
Up to 16 civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Jarjanaz, Idlib, on August 13th. Halab today stated that "nine people, including four women and two children, were injured in aerial cluster bombardment on Jarjanaz town." According to Zaman Al Wasel, White Helmets confirmed that three men and four women were wounded by shelling with…

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
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Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4018

Location

Al Salehiya, Idlib, Syria
الصالحية
Up to three children were reported killed and their father injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime night airstrikes on Al Salehiya, Idlib, on August 13th, 2019. A woman was also reported killed in the attack, and it is unclear whether she is related to the other victims. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Step…

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
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Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4016

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفر سجنة
According to the Syrian Civil Defense, on Aug 13th, 2019,  four women and two children were wounded in a cluster air bombardment on the town of Kafr Sijnah in Idlib. Local sources reported Russian and Syrian regime military activity with vacuum and high explosive missiles in the area on that day and blamed both.

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
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Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4017

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on August 13th, 2019, according to local sources. Eight others were injured. Two of the injured victims, including a child, passed away on August 18th due to the injuries they sustained in the strikes. Step Agency reported that "Russian…

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
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