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

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3926

Location

خان شيخون, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
One civilian at least was reported injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, Syria on July 20th, 2019 according to local sources. Palmyra Post reported that young man Mahmoud Khaled Al Hamroush was injured as a result of airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun. However, @MasarPressNet said…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
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Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3925

Location

Balyoun, Idlib, Syria
بليون
Up to eight civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Balyoun, Idlib, on July 20th. @muhammad_salhab said "Six injuries and major damage to the properties of the people as a result of the airstrike that targeted the town of Billion in the morning." @SY_plus tweeted reported "six injuries, including four men, a child and a…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
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Incident Date

21 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3927

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Anas Diab, a volunteer journalist with the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun on July 20th, 2019. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, who blamed Russian forces, Anas was documenting the aftermath of previous airstrikes on his town, Khan Sheikhoun, when he was struck…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
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Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3924

Location

Jabal Al Arba’een, Idlib, Syria
جبل الأربعين
Alleged Syrian and Russian forces carried out airstrikes on several locations in Idlib with high-impact rockets. According to Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene reported that "eight civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured by the targeting of the towns of Kansafra, Balyoun and Jabal al-Arba’een in the countryside of Idlib".…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
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Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3921

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
Alleged Syrian and Russian forces carried out airstrikes on several locations in Idlib with high-impact rockets. According to Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene reported that "eight civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured by the targeting of the towns of Kansafra, Balyoun and Jabal al-Arba’een in the countryside of Idlib".…

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
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Incident Date

20 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3922

Location

several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في أدلب
Step News reported that "the Syrian and Russian warplanes targeted several air strikes in the area of Basleya, south of the city of Khan Sheikhun, Khan Sheikhun, Ksafra, Billion, Ma'arata, Jabal al-Arbaeen, Tari'i, Hibayt and Hayesh al-Rikaya in Idlib with high-impact rockets." No other information is known at this time.

Summary

Published
20 July 2019
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