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

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

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

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

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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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

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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