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

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3866

Location

Hazarin, Idlib, Syria
حزارين
Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Hazarin south of Idlib. @IdlibPlus reported on resulting in "civilian casualties", but did not provide any further details. No further details are available.

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
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Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3870

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
One girl was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, July 4th. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "the girl Hanaa Jamal al Sheikh Najib was killed as Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Hass village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 4th." Meanwhile other sources alleged "others injured", with Syrian…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
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Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3865

Location

Al-Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
A child was killed and others injured, when alleged Russian airstrikes struck the outskirts of Al-Bara. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "the Russian warplanes carried out raids on places on the outskirts of al-Bara and Kansafra in Jabal al-Zawiyah south of Idlib, which killed a child and injured others". Local Coordination Committee…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
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Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3869

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
At least two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Kafar Nabil as more than 10 aircrafts of the Syrian and Russian forces alternated bombing with explosive barrels and cluster missiles. According to Edlib Media Center, the child was killed and others injured as cluster rockets struck a residential neighborhood. Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
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Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3868

Location

Vicinity of Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
Local sources reported that a child was killed and his father and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kansafra, Idlib governorate, around noon on July 4th, 2019. The Syrian Civil Defense was at the scene and reported that the village was struck with an explosive missile. According to the Syrian…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
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Incident Date

2 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3863

Location

Madaya, Idlib, Syria
مدايا
Seven to 30 people were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Madaya, Idlib governorate, on July 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. Sources are conflicted about the number of civilians among the victims. While Step News Agency reported "news of a massacre of civilians in the town of…

Summary

Published
2 July 2019
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