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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3969

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
Three medics were killed when alleged Russian airstrikes hit their ambulance on the road between Kfar Zeita and Al Latamina town in Hama governorate on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. The paramedics were reportedly on their way to help civilians who were wounded in previous air and artillery strikes. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
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Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3968

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
A man was killed in the explosion of unexploded ordnance from a previous alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on July 27th, 2019. It is unclear when the airstrike took place. Smart News Agency claimed that an unknown number of people were killed in a cluster bomb explosion, which was allegedly left from…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
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Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3967

Location

Kafar Aouid, Idlib, Syria
كفرعويد
At least two girls were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafar Aouid, Idlib countryside, on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. @baladinetwork tweeted: "The regime's warplanes bomb the village of Kafar Aouid in the southern countryside of Idlib." According to @IdlibPlus, civilian homes were targeted. According to…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
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Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3966

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
Up to 13 civilians were reportedly killed and at least 22 others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, on July 27th, 2019 according to local sources. The airstrikes hit the western neighborhood and a popular market, and France 24 reported that the airstrikes hit two residential buildings. Members…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
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Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3965

Location

Al Halouba, Idlib, Syria
الحلوبة
A child was killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Halouba, Idlib governorate, on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported "the death of a child and the injury of a child as a result of an airstrike by the military regime on the town…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
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Incident Date

26 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3963

Location

Al Baouabiya, Aleppo, Syria
البوابية
Local sources alleged that Russian or Syrian airstrikes or missile strikes targeted Al Baouabiya in Aleppo on July 26th, killing up to three civilians and wounding three others including a woman. Sources said that the attacks started in the morning and continued through the afternoon. One of the victims Sari Al-Taleb, aged 27, used to…

Summary

Published
26 July 2019
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