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 Date Publication Date

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

RS3890

Location

Saraqib, Hama, Syria
سراقب
Local sources reported that two or three civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Hama governorate, on July 10th, 2019. According to Zaitonmag, "the city of Saraqib was subjected to an airstrike targeting the eastern neighbourhoods of the city with two missiles, wounding three civilians." @mahmoudalbakor1 tweeted:…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3883

Location

Several town in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة في أدلب
A single source reported that "12 civilians were killed and dozens were injured by airstrikes by Al Assad and the Russian military and helicopter gunships on the towns and villages of Idlib countryside". The source added that many of the wounded were injured in raids on the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhaon, Ma'arat Al…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3882

Location

Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Two people were wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the city of Ma’ret Al Nu’man South Idlib. Local reports did not specify whether the victims were civilians. @HadiAlabdallah said that the shelling led to rendering Ma'aret Al-Nu'man main hospital out of service. @Step_Agency said that Russian warplanes targeted the area with vacuum rockets.…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
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Incident Date

10 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3889

Location

Kniset Nakhla (Nakhla church), Idlib, Syria
كنيسة نخلة
Two civilians were injured in airstrikes on Kaniset Nakhla, Idlib, on July 10th. According to this source, Step News, "two civilians were injured as a result of the bombardment of the helicopter, which targeted the village of Kniset Nakhla (Nakhla Church), east of Jisr al-Shughour city." Step News wrote that "two helicopters belonging to the…

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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