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

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3944

Location

Deir Sinbul, Idlib, Syria
ديرسنبل
Up to two civilians, including a child, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Deir Sinbul in Idlib governorate on July 23rd, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "a child was injured by the targeting of the town of Deir Sinbul in the village…

Summary

Published
23 July 2019
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Incident Date

23 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3941

Location

several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في أدلب
Shaam News Network reported that Russian forces conducted heavy air raids accompanied with heavy shelling and artillery shelling on the cities and towns of Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Khan Sheikhoun, Tallakan, Kanda, Hamediyah, Deir Snabal, Jabala, Bassamis, Sahihan, Hayish, Najeej and Ma’ar Zeita. The source claimed that one civilian was killed in "all of Ma'arat Al…

Summary

Published
23 July 2019
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Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3936

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Up to 50 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on July 22nd. A further 10 to 100 were allegedly injured in the incident. In December 2019, the New York Times published an investigation into the event, which it said was perpetrated by the Russian Air Force. While initial sources cited…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
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Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3937

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Nine civilians, including four children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes that struck a local market and school in Saraqib in the afternoon of July 22nd, as reported by local sources. Up to 16 others were injured. According to @ShahbaPress, four civilians including a woman were killed and 16 were wounded, while Step…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
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Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3938

Location

Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
Local sources reported that alleged Syrian or Russian airstrikes struck Kafarouma, Idlib governorate, killing up to three civilians. An unknown number of others were injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that helicopters belonging to the Syrian regime forces "dropped several barrel bombs on al Farouq al Gharbiya School in Kafrooma village in Idlib…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
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Incident Date

22 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3939

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
A civilian was killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on July 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported "one martyr and wounded civilians as a result of air raids on the city of Kafar Nabil." Shaam News…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
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