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

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3899

Location

Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفرزيتا
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. At first, only a woman was reported killed and at least two civilians wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian shelled Kafar Zeita. In addition, Abdullah al-Aboud, a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense, was wounded while searching for survivors…

Summary

Published
13 July 2019
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Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3903

Location

Kafriya, Idlib, Syria
كفريا
An alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike struck the village of Kafriya in the morning of July 13th, according to local sources. The strike led to the death of three civilians (and a fetus) who seem to be from the same family. A man, his child and a pregnant woman who were displaced were reported killed…

Summary

Published
13 July 2019
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Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3902

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Around dawn, a "rocket-propelled grenade attack" struck a cave on a farm near the town of Khan Sheikhoun, killing up to ten displaced civilians from Al Latamina whilst they were asleep. @SyrianCoalition blamed the Syrian regime for what it described as a massacre and claimed that two families were murdered, including two men, two women…

Summary

Published
13 July 2019
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Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3895

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
A woman was killed when an explosive barrel was dropped from a helicopter. Shaam claimed the attack was carried out by a Russian or Syrian regime aircraft. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Mrs. Samiha Mahmoud Abdul Razzaq al Dahrouj, from al Latamena town in Hama governorate northwestern suburbs, age 51, was killed as…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
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Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3898

Location

Al-Qusoor, Idlib, Syria
حي القصور
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with four rockets struck the al-Qusoor neighborhood of Idlib, Syria the morning of July 12th, 2019 led to the death of up to two civilians including a child and inuring up to 12 others. Local sources said the attack hit an IDP shelter. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
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Incident Date

12 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3897

Location

Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Three civilians including two children were reported killed and up to eight others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces on Ma'aret Al-Nu'man on July 12th, 2019 according to local sources. One of the victims, a child, was identified as Ammar Muhammad Al-Hassoun, aged 12. Another source named him Ammar Mohammed Hassan Almshish. Alleged…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
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