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

30 June 2019

Incident Codes

CS1921 RS3856

Location

Rif Al Mouhandessen Al Awal, Aleppo, Syria
ريف المهندسين الأول
A confirmed Coalition strike with high-explosive missiles against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on the afternoon of June 30th is also locally reported to have injured at least two children and two women, and killed a number of foreign AQ-linked fighters. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the strike was carried…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
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Incident Date

30 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3857

Location

Al Amiriya, Idlib, Syria
العامرية
Two children were reported killed and six others including three children injured in airstrikes on Al Amiriya, Idlib, on June 30th. @HalabTodayTV reported the use of cluster bombs in the airstrike on the village. While Syrian network for Human Rights referred to the children killed as two siblings, Shabab Al Latamina documented the martyrdom of…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
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Incident Date

29 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3853

Location

Mashoun, Idlib, Syria
مشون
One woman reportedly died as a result of a heart attack following an airstrike on her home in Mashoun, Idlib, on June 29th. Shaam News reported that "Russian and Assad planes launched heavy and violent air raids on [a number of] cities and towns" on June 29th, leading to the injury of civilians in Mashoun.…

Summary

Published
29 June 2019
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Incident Date

29 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3854

Location

Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
One child was reported injured in the explosion of a remnant of a cluster munition in Hayyan, Aleppo, on June 29th. Step News agency alleged that "a child was seriously injured by a cluster bomb left behind by a former Russian military attack on the town of Hayyan, north of Aleppo." Shaam News claimed that he…

Summary

Published
29 June 2019
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Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3847

Location

Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفرزيتا
Russian or Syrian regime warplanes allegedly fired missiles at the city of Kafar Zeita in Hama, wounding three people. The Civil Defense Hama said: "Targeting residential neighborhoods in the city of Kafr Zita with two raids by warplanes, which resulted in the injury of 3 persons of varying degrees." Shabab Al Latamina reported the same…

Summary

Published
27 June 2019
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Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3848

Location

Sfwhen, Idlib, Syria
سفوهن
Local sources claimed that a man was killed and others wounded in Sfwhen when Syrian regime and Russian forces bombed the region. JisrTV and Hahem Almosa accused the Syrian regime, while the Civil Defence reported both Russian and regime strikes in the area.

Summary

Published
27 June 2019
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