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

13–14 June, 2019

Incident Code

RS3787

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
One civilian was reported killed in artillery shelling on Morek, Hama, in the night between June 13th and 14th. Shaam News stated that "Russian and Assad  warplanes launched dozens of air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and missile attacks on [a number of] towns and villages", and cited the death of one civilian in Morek.…

Summary

Published
13 June 2019
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Incident Date

13 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3790

Location

Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
Local sources reported that a child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019. @HalabTodayTV tweeted that according to the Civil Defence, "a civilian was killed and another was wounded, as a result of targeting the outskirts of the town of Khan Al Sabil in Idlib…

Summary

Published
13 June 2019
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Incident Date

13 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3789

Location

Jouzef , Idlib, Syria
جوزف
A child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other man was injured. @shabablatamni tweeted: "A child was killed and others were wounded, as the regime's warplanes bombed the village of Jouzef, in the southern Idlib countryside." Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
13 June 2019
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Incident Date

13 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3788

Location

Mouqa, Idlib, Syria
موقا
Four civilians, including a woman, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the village of Mouqa, Idlib countryside, on June 13th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other civilian was injured. @HadiAlabdallah tweeted: "Four civilians, including a woman, were killed as a result of the missile strikes…

Summary

Published
13 June 2019
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Incident Date

11 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3786

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
Two women were killed and an unknown number of other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on June 11th, 2019, according to local sources. Smart News reported that "two women were killed and others were wounded on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, by aerial bombardment…

Summary

Published
11 June 2019
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Incident Date

11 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3785

Location

Kfarein, Idlib, Syria
كفرعين
Seven civilians including a woman were reported killed in airstrikes on Kfarein, Idlib, on June 11th. While the Local Coordination Committee for Syria reported "five martyrs and four wounded, including women and children" in the attack, Syria Civil Defense and Syria.liveuamap cited seven fatalities. Also reporting "at least five" fatalities, as "missiles were fired on…

Summary

Published
11 June 2019
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