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

7 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3996

Location

Rasha village, Jabal Shashbou, Hama, Syria
راشا, جبل شحشبو
Five men were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the headquarters of the monitoring unit team of the Al Naser Army in the village of Rasha in Jabal Shashabou, Hama governorate, on August 7th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if the men were directly participating…

Summary

Published
7 August 2019
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Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3995

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في ادلب
A single source reported an unknown number of injured civilians as the result of alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Idlib governorate on August 6th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported that "Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes accompanied by fierce rocket and…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
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Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3992

Location

Several towns in Hama, Hama, Syria
A single source reported an unknown number of civilian casualties as the result of alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Hama governorate on August 6th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported that "Russian warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes accompanied by fierce rocket and artillery shelling that targeted the…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
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Incident Date

5–6 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS3991

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
Up to five civilians, most of them from the same family, were reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling  on Morek in Idlib, Syria during the night of August 5/6th, 2019. Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported "at least 4 civilians, most of them…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
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Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3994

Location

Latmeen, Hama, Syria
لطمين
Three civilians were reportedly killed and three others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmeen, Hama governorate, on August 6th, 2019, according to local sources. One source reported civilian deaths in Latmeen. According to Baladi News, "three [civilians] were killed in a Russian bombardment on the town of Latmeen in the northern…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
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Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3993

Location

Kafar Tab farm, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
مزرعة كفرطاب خان شيخون
Up to eight civilians, most of them from the same family, were reported killed, and a further three to four others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or artillery shelling on their farm in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, in the afternoon of August 6th, 2019. The victims were pistachio workers, as local sources said.…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
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