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
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

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

2 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3990

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
One civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the area of Kfar Zeita, Hama governorate, on August 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. @IdlibPlus tweeted that "a civilian was injured as a result of the targeting of regime forces by the city of Kfar Zeita in the northern suburbs…

Summary

Published
2 August 2019
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Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3985

Location

Latmeen, Hama, Syria
لطمين
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, Hama, on August 1st. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Ahmad Mohammad Abo Zaid, from Helfya city in the northwestern suburbs of Hama governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on Latmeen village in the northern suburbs of Hama governorate, on August…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
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Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3986

Location

Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
كفر نبل
One woman was reported killed and four to six civilians including two children injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery on Kafar Nubul, Idlib, on August 1st, 2019. Out of the injured, four belonged to one family. It was reported that Kafar Nubul was struck with two raids on that day. The…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
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Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3987

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
One civilian was reported killed and up to three civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Morek, Hama, on August 1st, 2019, according to local sources. @IdlibPlus tweeted that "a civilian was killed as a result of the targeting of Russian warplanes by the city of Morek in the northern suburbs…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
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Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3988

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
Three civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on Kfar Zeita after midnight on August 1st, 2019. While multiple sources reported the strikes, only the Syrian Civil Defence reported civilian casualties. The Syrian Civil Defence in Hama (@civil_hama) reported that three civilians were injured as a result of airstrikes by Russian aircraft…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
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