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

9 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3881

Location

Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
On July 20th, 2019, a woman died of injuries she sustained in alleged Syrian regime artillery shelling or a Russian airstrike on the city of Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 9th, according to local sources. @Step_Agency reported: "A missile attack by the regime forces in Jurin targeted the city of Jisr Al Shughour…

Summary

Published
9 July 2019
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Incident Date

9 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3879

Location

Jbala, Idlib, Syria
جبالا
One man was reported injured in airstrikes on Jbala, Idlib, on July 9th. Shabab Al Latamina documented "the injury of the young man "Abdul Karim Hassan Al-Khalif" in Russian air strikes on the village of Jbala # Southern countryside Idlib." Two other sources attributed the attack to Russian forces. No other information is known at…

Summary

Published
9 July 2019
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Incident Date

9 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3880

Location

Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
دير الشرقي
According to local sources, alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp with four rockets in the outskirts of the town of Deir Al Sharqi in rural Idlib, killing up to five civilians and wounding up to 15 others. @ShahbaPress tweeted: "Three civilians were killed, including children, and at least ten…

Summary

Published
9 July 2019
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Incident Date

8 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3877

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Two civilians were reported wounded in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on July 8th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on Ma'aret al Numan Stadium, partially damaging its building and fence, on July 8th." While other sources referred to "injured civilians", Smart News documented "two civilians wounded by…

Summary

Published
8 July 2019
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Incident Date

8 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3876

Location

Tareeq Al Sad, Daraa, Syria
قرب حي طريق السد
One or two civilians were reportedly killed in the plains surrounding Dara'a Al Balad when the region was hit by seven strikes, allegedly launched from Russian warplanes, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. Two others were injured. Shaam News Agency wrote that "in violation of the cease-fire agreement, a Russian warplane launched seven…

Summary

Published
8 July 2018
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Incident Date

7 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3875

Location

Qastoun, Hama, Syria
قسطون
Up to twelve civilians including at least six from the same family were reported killed in artillery shelling on Qastoun, Hama, on July 7th. The family members killed were originally from Al-Badriya village, and were killed while working in the agricultural lands between Qastoun and Badriya. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least…

Summary

Published
7 July 2019
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