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

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3771

Location

Al Zakat , Hama, Syria
الزكاة
A civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Zakat on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV's correspondent reported: "Russian airstrikes target the cities of Kafr Zita and Murak and the villages of Zakat and Arba'in in the northern Hama countryside." Smart News Agency claimed that "a man…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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Incident Date

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3774

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Smart News Agency reported that one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 9th, 2019. Another source reported that a civilian was injured. Other sources blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes. Smart News Agency reported that "the Russian air force launched several airstrikes targeting Khan Sheikhoun," as well…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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Incident Date

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3775

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the city of Kfar Zeita on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. Based on local activists, Smart News Agency reported that "two people were killed and four others were injured, as the warplanes of…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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Incident Date

9–10 June, 2019

Incident Code

RS3776

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
Three to four civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib on June 10th. Though some sources said the airstrike happened at the dawn, others said in the evening. Three of the victims are named as Mustafa Sayyadi, Ibrahim Sayyadi and Khaled Marati. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights named the three mentioning Khaled…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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Incident Date

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3777

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Local sources reported that a woman and a child were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al-Lataminah in the northern Hama countryside on June 9th, 2019. According to a @HalabTodayTV correspondent, "a woman and her child were wounded as a result of an airstrike by the regime's air force…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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Incident Date

9 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3778

Location

Bazabour, Idlib, Syria
بزابور
Six civilians, including four women and a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the village of Bazabour, Idlib governorate, on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. @ShahbaPress reported that "six civilians, including a girl and four women, were wounded as a result of the Assad forces' bombing…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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