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

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

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3831

Location

Regiment 46, Aleppo, Syria
الفوج 46
Two civilians were reported killed in Regiment 46, Aleppo, on June 21st. Baladi network said "Two martyred in an initial toll, and a number of wounded, due to bombing on the Regiment 46 in the western countryside of Aleppo, Syria." @so_ria98 alleged the death of four civilians "and a number of wounded, including children" in…

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
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Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3829

Location

Al Zakkoum, Hama, Syria
الزقوم
According to local sources, a Russian airstrike killed two in the village of Al Zakkoum and injured eight others. The two killed are originally from Kansafra according to local sources. While Shaam News referred to martyrs, without making clear the status of those killed, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that  "two members of the…

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
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Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3828

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
A woman was reported killed  when alleged Russian and Syrian regime air raids reportedly struck Kfar Zeita on June 21st, 2019. A woman was also reported killed in Kfar Zeita on June 20th, 2019. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
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Incident Date

21 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3830

Location

Rif Al Muhandisin Al Thani, Aleppo, Syria
ريف المهندسين الثاني
Four civilians including a little girl were killed when airstrikes struck Rif Al Muhandisin Al Thani, in the countryside of west of Aleppo on June 21st, 2019. Syrian Human Rights Commission named the girl killed as Aya al-Satouf. Up to eight civilians were also allegedly wounded, including children. According to Step News, the civilians were…

Summary

Published
21 June 2019
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Incident Date

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3820

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Syria Civil Defense reported an airstrike on Al-Lataminah, Hama, on June 20th. Although the number of casualties were not quantified in this source, the incident was listed, among others, as one of the attacks which led to numerous fatalities on June 20th. According to this source "the cities and towns of liberated northern Syria are…

Summary

Published
20 June 2019
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