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

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3849

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Up to two civilians was reported killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on June 27th. Significant damage to property was reported as a result of the incident. Syria Civil Defense alleged "three air strikes targeting the town of Ma'arat al-Nu'man in the village of Idlib, resulting in the…

Summary

Published
27 June 2019
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Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3852

Location

Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
One to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Al Bara, Idlib, on June 27th. According to Syria Civil Defense, "three civilians, including a woman, were killed and eight others were wounded in the town of Al Bara in the village of Idlib." @SyrianCoalition also reported "three martyrs - two men and a woman -…

Summary

Published
27 June 2019
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Incident Date

27 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3851

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
One woman was killed and up to three of her family member injured in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 27th. Baladi News reported that "A woman was martyred and a young man was wounded in the town of Kafr Sijnah by an air raid by Russian warplanes targeting the town." Masar Press wrote:…

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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Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3844

Location

Khan Sheikoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Two volunteers for the Syria Civil Defense were reported killed, and four to five others injured, in the second of a "double tap" airstrike allegedly perpetrated by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces on the Al Beira neighborhood in the east of  Khan Sheikoun city, Idlib, Syria, on June 26th, 2019. The strike allegedly…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
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Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3843

Location

Khan Sheikoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
In the second of two strikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on June 26th, two member of the White Helmets were reported killed and up to four more injured. The strike allegedly came preceding another airstrike which, according to Idlib Plus, "targeted the Syria civil defense team while trying to aid those wounded" in the initial…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
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