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 DatePublication Date

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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Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3834

Location

Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Two children, twin brothers, were killed in an airstrike conducted by either the Russian or Syrian regime forces in Ma'aret al-Nu'man, according to local sources. Up to six other civilians, including at least one child, were reportedly wounded. Orient News said: "Two dead as a result of an air strike by the Russian occupation on…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
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Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3832

Location

Tel Melh, Hama, Syria
تل ملح
One civilian was reported killed in artillery shelling in Tal Melh, Hama, on June 22nd. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Ahmad Ibrahim al Hmoud. Although Step News alleged the death of one civilian in one tweet, naming the Syrian regime as the responsible belligerent, another report by Step News regarding…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
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Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3835

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
A child was allegedly wounded by Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling on the town of Al-Lataminah in Hama from the camp of South Halfaya. Halab Today TV reported: "A child was injured by artillery shelling from the Russian camp on the city of Al-Lataminah in the northern Hama countryside." The source added in a…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
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Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3836

Location

Khan Al Subul, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Al Subul, Idlib, on June 22nd. Macro Media Centre and Syria.liveuamap alleged that "one civilian was killed and three others wounded in air raids on the city of Khan Al Subul", while Edlib Media Centre initially reported that "a man and a woman were injured when a military aircraft…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
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Incident Date

22 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3837

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
An airstrike local sources believed to be Russian struck a residential neighborhood in Saraqib. According to the Syrian Civil Defense forces who were at the scene, four high-explosive missiles struck a house and killed a family of five, including two women and two children. The source claimed seven other civilians were wounded, including two children.…

Summary

Published
22 June 2019
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