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

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3808

Location

Al Zakat , Hama, Syria
الزكاة
One women was reported killed in an airstrike on Al Zakat, Hama, on June 16th. She was named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as Isaaf Al-Faraj. Two sources claimed the death of one woman, and Step News Agency also alleged the wounding of "others" in the attack. Meanwhile, Shaam News reported on the…

Summary

Published
16 June 2019
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Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3807

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
36.643567Two children and a woman were reported wounded in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 16th. While four sources referred to "a number wounded", or "many wounded", in the attack - - cited as "mainly children" - both Local Coordination Committee for Syria and Edlib Media Center, quantified those injured as two children and a…

Summary

Published
16 June 2019
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Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3806

Location

Karsa’a, Idlib, Syria
كرسعة
One civilian was reported killed, and "others wounded", in airstrikes on Karsa’a, Idlib, on June 16th. Syrian network for Human Rights names Ahmad Adnan al Ali as the victim of the attack. Three sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while Shaam News referred to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.…

Summary

Published
16 June 2019
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Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3799

Location

Al Zakat , Hama, Syria
الزكاة
While one source reported "victims" in airstrikes on Al Zakat and other locations in Hama, on June 15th, another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Shaam News names both Russia and the Syrian regime in the reporting of the event, while Smart News does not…

Summary

Published
15 June 2019
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Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3805

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
A single source reported "victims" in an airstrike on Kfar Zeita, Hama, on June 15th. Another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Although victims are reported by Smart News in the "aerial bombardment", no other information is known at this time with regard to how…

Summary

Published
15 June 2019
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Incident Date

15 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3804

Location

Hasraya, Hama, Syria
حصرايا
A single source reported "victims" in an airstrike on Hasraya, Hama, on June 15th. Another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Although victims are reported by Smart News in the "aerial bombardment", no other information is known at this time with regard to how many…

Summary

Published
15 June 2019
View Incident