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

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3957

Location

Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
Up to three civilians, including at least one child, were reported killed and 10 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on civilian homes in the town of Kafarouma, Idlib governorate, on July 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported that "three people were killed and several wounded when…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
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Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3960

Location

Al Yakoubiya, Idlib, Syria
اليعقوبية
Armin Yaqoub Khalilo, a man from the Christian community, died in the village of Al Yaqoubia in Idlib, on July 25th, 2019, due to the explosion of cluster bomb remnants from an alleged previous Russian or Syrian regime bombing. According to various local sources such as Shaam News Network, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
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Incident Date

25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3955

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Up to six civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib governorate, on July 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five others were reported injured. @HalabTodayTV wrote that: "Two [civilians] were killed and others were wounded as a result of Russian airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
25 July 2019
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Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3951

Location

Muhambel, Idlib, Syria
محمبل
A mother and her two daughters were killed by alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in the town of Muhambel, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019. An unknown number of other civilians were reported wounded. @syrian191124 tweeted: "Three civilians were killed and others were wounded as warplanes targeted the town of…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
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Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3947

Location

Surrounding Ko`usa Ma`arkba, Hama, Syria
محيط قؤسة معركبة
Local sources claimed that two civilians were killed by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces missile fire on agricultural lands near Ko`usa Ma`arkba, north of Hama from Camp Bardij, on July 24th, 2019. The Syrian Human Rights Committee named the victims as Jihad Ali Al-Naasan and  Aryam al-Melhem (other sources named him Oqba Aryan…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
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Incident Date

24 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3950

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
Up to 19 civilians, including at least three children and two women, were killed in several air raids by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes on July 24th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to 19 others were reported injured. Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes fired several missiles on a local market in the center of…

Summary

Published
24 July 2019
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