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 4,843 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.
4,843 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.
3,027 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

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3886

Location

Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Two to four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a camp for displaced people in Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, on July 10th. Syrian Network for Human Rights states that "Mahmoud Mohammad al Ali, a member of Civil Defense- Kafr Zita center - was killed along with his daughter Yasmin as…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3885

Location

Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Up to 10 civilians, including at least four children, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 10th, 2019. Around 10 civilians were injured. @AJArabic tweeted: "Six civilians were killed and 10 others were wounded, most of them women and children, by Russian-Syrian airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3884

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
A civilian was wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling on the  city of Morek in northern Hama, according to local sources. @liongeneral19, a pro regime source tweeted, "Artillery men are raining terrorist positions now in Morek, Tal Malah, Ar-Arbaeen, al-Jibbe, Al-Jaysat, and Tal Al-Sakhar in the northern and northwestern Hama countryside." However,…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3887

Location

Mardikh or Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
مرديخ أو تل مرديخ
Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Tal Mardikh, Idlib, on July 10th. ShahbaPress tweeted "two killed, and wounded civilians, in air raids on the town of Tal Mardikh in countryside of # Idlib South." @SyrianCoaltion stated that "at least two people were killed in the town of Tal Mardikh in countryside…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3888

Location

Kafar Rouma, Idlib, Syria
كفرومة
Two women were killed in an alleged Syrian or Russian strike with explosive barrels on Kafar Rouma, south of Idlib, according to local sources. Dozens were reported injured. According to Shaam News, Syrian and Russian "military and helicopter gunships" carried out attacks on a number of towns and villages in Idlib countryside that day. Syrian…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

9 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3878

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
A single source reported "wounded civilians" following airstrikes in Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 9th. Khan Sheikoun Lens cited "wounded civilians in the city of # Khan_ Sheikoun because of the targeting of Russian air strikes." However, @HalabTodayTV  tweeted that no casualties were reported. The remaining sources didn't mention civilian casualties. No other information is…

Summary

Published
9 July 2019
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