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

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3819

Location

Tarmala, Idlib, Syria
ترملا
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Tarmala, Idlib, on June 20th. Syria Civil Defense reported that "the cities and towns of liberated northern Syria are still under constant bombardment by the regime's forces and their Russian allies," listing a number of locations and casualties, among which the incident in Tarmala is reported. Similarly, Shaam…

Summary

Published
20 June 2019
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Incident Date

20 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3827

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
Three civilians from the same family were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling or airstrikes on Kfar Zeita in Hama on June 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Among the victims is Khalaf Al-Na'san, and his wife Wa'ad Al-Khalaf and their son. It was reported that Wa'ad died of her wounds.…

Summary

Published
20 June 2019
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Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3814

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
At least one woman was wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck a bakery in the town of Saraqib on June 19th, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported: "Civilian casualties following air raids on a bakery in the town of Saraqib in the eastern countryside of Idlib." Edlib Media Center reported that…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
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Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3815

Location

Benin, Idlib, Syria
بنين
In what local sources described as a "massacre", up to 13 civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Benin on June 19th, 2019. Multiple sources reported that more than 10 civilians were wounded. Step News and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that at least seven civilians were killed and…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
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Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3816

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
Up to three civilians were killed when Syrian and Russian airstrikes allegedly struck the village of Kansafra on June 19th. Syrian Civil Defense forces who were present at the scene reported that missiles struck the village in the evening, killing thee civilians including a pregnant woman and wounding 14 others of whom five were women…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
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Incident Date

19 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3817

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, Hama governorate, on June 19th, 2019. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, "four were killed by aerial bombardment of Al-Lataminah" - a figure also cited by Shaam News. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that "Ra’fat Kallal al Saleh al Hamada was killed…

Summary

Published
19 June 2019
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