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

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3073

Location

Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
عين ترما
Up to six civilians, including up to four children and one woman, were killed and dozens were left wounded as Ain Tarma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by Syrian Regime and/or Russian-waged warplanes, local media reported. As the intense shelling of several parts of eastern Ghouta continued, Ain Tarma was also struck, resulting in great…

Summary

Published
19 July 2019
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Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3920

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes on an IDP camp in Hass, Idlib, on July 19th, 2019. An additional one to two civilians were reported injured in the attack, along with substantial damage to residential structures. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the victim of the airstrikes as "Abdul…

Summary

Published
19 July 2019
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Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3918

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Two civilians were injured when alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck residential neighborhoods in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Civil Defense forces, the attack was carried out from a helicopter that dropped 20 explosive barrels and used artillery and rocket fire including 26 air-to-surface missiles and 2 rockets…

Summary

Published
19 July 2019
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Incident Date

17 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3916

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported airstrikes and artillery shelling on a number of locations in Idlib on July 17th. According to this source, "Russian military aircraft carried out heavy air raids on the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhun, Jisr al-Shughur, Habayt, Tirmala, Kafrain, Kefersgana, Rakaya, Wadi Arenabah, Baarba and Hazarin areas, causing a number of civilian…

Summary

Published
17 July 2019
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Incident Date

17–18 July, 2019

Incident Code

RS3917

Location

Jsir Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Up to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, after midnight on July 18th. A further five to seven, including two children, were allegedly injured in the attack. Ayman Qaddour (or Ameen Qaddour) and child Abdul-Jawad Ramo were killed in the attack. Abdul-Jawad died days later of his wounds. Few…

Summary

Published
17 July 2019
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Incident Date

16 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3908

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
One man was reported killed in airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, Hama, on July 16th. Kafr Zeta TV documented "the martyrdom of "Badr Haitham Al-Mahmoud" nick name (Al Kateb), 25, as a result of Russian air strikes of the city of Al-Lataminah in the northern suburbs of Hama." Two other sources reported the attack, but did not…

Summary

Published
16 July 2019
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