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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3975

Location

Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفرزيتا
Up to seven civilians, including a woman and a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or artillery on Kafr Zeita on the morning of July 29th. Initial reports claimed two civilians were killed, including a woman and a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense. According to local…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
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Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3976

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Five civilians, including at least one child and two women, from the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al-Lataminah in the northern Hama countryside on the evening of July 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to four others were reported injured. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
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Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3977

Location

Latmeen, Hama, Syria
لطمين
Two civilians were killed while working on farmland when helicopters dropped explosive barrels on the village of Latmeen, according to local sources. Other civilians were also reported injured in the incident. @abo_aljod84 said the two victims are originally from Al Latamneh, and they were named by Justice Organisation as Mohammed Naser Al Hasan Mohammed and…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
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Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3978

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One or two alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in Ma’aret Al Nu’man killed five civilians, including an elderly man, and wounded about 30. The market was struck with rockets in the evening, according to local sources. According to Al Araby, "A source from the Civil Defense told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
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Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3979

Location

several town in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في أدلب
An unknown number of civilians was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns and cities in Idlib governorate on July 29th, 2019, according to a single source. Shaam News Network reported that warplanes and helicopters believed to belong to Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly conducted airstrikes on a number of…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
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Incident Date

28 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3970

Location

Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria
تحتايا
Two men were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Tahtaya, Idlib governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Idlib Plus reported that "two men were wounded because of the targeting of the town of Tahtaya by a Russian airstrike." @alahmed_nasser tweeted: "The War Air Force launches raids on the…

Summary

Published
28 July 2019
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