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

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4009

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
One civilian was reported killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’arat Harma, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented "the death of a citizen and the injury of several others in a bombing by…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
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Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4010

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Five civilians, including three women, were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Syria Civil Defense stated that "five civilians, including three women, were injured in warplanes' airstrikes on the houses of civilians in the centre of Kafar Nabil." Shaam News Network reported…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
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Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4011

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
Five civilians, including a child, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syiran regime airstrikes in Heesh, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Orient News stated that "four men and a child" were injured in Heesh "as a result of aerial bombardment by Assad's warplanes on the area". Shaam News Network…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
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Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4012

Location

Al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria
التمانعة
Five men were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Al Taman’a, Idlib, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News documented "wounded civilians" in a number of cities and towns, including Al Taman’a, after "Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes accompanied by very heavy…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
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Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4013

Location

Bdama, Idlib, Syria
بداما
Two civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Bdama, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Jisr Media Center and Orient News stated that "a man and a woman were injured by artillery shelling in the town of Bdama." Shaam News Network also documented…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
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Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4014

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في ادلب
A single source reported "many wounded" after alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on several towns and cities in Idlib governorate on August 12th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported "many wounded among civilians in the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrnabal, Al Taman'a, Kafarsijnah, Aleya, Hish, Karsa, Naqir, Mudaya, Umm Jalal, Sheikh Mustafa, Sheikh…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
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