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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

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

7 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3874

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Two to eight civilians were reported wounded in an airstrike on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 7th. Khansheikoun Lens reported that "four men, three women and one girl were injured in four air strikes by Russian warplanes targeting the residential neighborhoods of Khan Sheikhoun." Smart News initially reported that two were wounded in the strike,…

Summary

Published
7 July 2019
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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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Incident Date

6 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3873

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
Three civilians from one family, including an infant, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Morek, Hama governorate, on July 6th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "three civilians (a girl and her parents), were killed while grazing sheep as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
6 July 2019
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Incident Date

5 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3872

Location

Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
محمبل
Up to 18 civilians, including at least nine children and four women, were reportedly killed, and 20 others injured, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mhambel, Idlib, on July 5th, 2019. Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that "at least 16 civilians, including ten children and four women, were killed in an intensive…

Summary

Published
5 July 2019
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Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3867

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 4th. Macro Media Center alleged that "two civilians were killed, and another wounded, in Khan Sheikhoun city after being targeted by three fighter jets", attributing the attack to the Syrian regime. Another source, @ANews_Arabic, referred to the death of "four civilians, including two…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
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