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

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3842

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
One to two civilians including a child were reported killed in airstrikes on the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, on June 26th. Along with other sources citing similar figures, Syria.liveuamap stated that "two civilians were killed and others wounded on the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man as a result of the targeting of their homes by…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
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Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3841

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Three children were reported injured when rocket launchers struck the city of Saraqib in Idlib. According to Shaam News, Russian and Syrian regime military aircrafts launched dozens of raids with heavy artillery shelling in the region that day. @nabdalthwra said Syrian regime warplanes targeted Saraqib without mentioning civilian harm. Step News and Abdulaziz Ketaz only…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
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Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3846

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Local sources reported that a missile struck near Martyr Wahid al Yousef Primary School in Kafr Sijnah village in Idlib, damaging the building and wounding one civilian. Youmyat rejal shora alleged: "Police officer Abd al-Rahman Hamdaoui, from the Kafr Sijnah al-Hurra police station, was wounded by the air raid of the regime, which targeted the…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
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Incident Date

26 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3845

Location

farms surrounding the city Idlib, Idlib, Syria
المزارع المحيطة بمدينة ادلب,
Local sources reported varying numbers of civilians were killed and wounded when airstrikes struck the outskirts of Idlib, Syria, on June 26, 2019. According to Macro Media, three civilians were killed in the raid. Shabab Al Latamina, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Ariha Today reported a higher death toll of four civilian fatalities. Syrian…

Summary

Published
26 June 2019
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Incident Date

25–26 June, 2019

Incident Code

RS3840

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Shabab Al Latamina reported that two civilians were wounded in shelling in rural Idlib, near Khan Sheikhoun on June 25th. According to the source, "two wounded from the town of Al Latamina in artillery artillery shelling from the Russian camp on the perimeter of the city of Khan Sheikhoun." The source added that the following…

Summary

Published
25 June 2019
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Incident Date

23 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3839

Location

Jozef, Idlib, Syria
جوزف
Two to six civilians were reported killed, and four to five injured, in airstrikes on Jozef, Idlib, on June 23rd. Smart news alleged that the "aerial bombardment" killed four civilians, and wounded "four others from the same family", while stating that "two of its members are still missing and trapped under the rubble." Meanwhile, the…

Summary

Published
23 June 2019
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