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

RS3773

Location

Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria
كفرلاتا
A man was reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Kafar Lata, Idlib governorate, on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib reported that "a man was wounded in the village of Kafar Lata, as a result of an airstrike targeting the outskirts of the village",…

Summary

Published
9 June 2019
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Incident Date

8 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3768

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib, June 8th. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one civilian killed in the attack, and named him as Khaled Ahmad al Hmaido. Later it was reported that a woman named Khaldiya Al-Battal died of her wounds as results of the same airstrike. Listing a…

Summary

Published
8 June 2019
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Incident Date

8 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3769

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
A child was killed and up to three women were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on civilian homes in the outskirts of Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib governorate, on June 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported "the death of a child and the wounding of three women as a…

Summary

Published
8 June 2019
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Incident Date

8 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3770

Location

Several towns in Idlib countryside, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported a number of alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on several towns and villages in Idlib governorate on June 8th, 2019. Possibly, civilians were injured. According to Shaam News Network, "Syrian regime and Russian military aircraft and helicopter gunships conducted dozens of air raids, accompanied with heavy artillery shelling,…

Summary

Published
8 June 2019
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Incident Date

7 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3767

Location

Babulin, Idlib, Syria
بابولين
Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Babulin, Idlib, June 7th. While Idlib Plus alleges the death of one civilian, multiple other sources refer to the death of two to three civilians, as well as the injuring of a "number" of others. Syria Civil Defense stated that of those killed, two were…

Summary

Published
7 June 2019
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Incident Date

7 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3766

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama, on June 7th. Smart News reported that "local activists told "Smart" that a civilian, working as a teacher of the French language, was killed as a result of the aerial bombardment of Kfar Zeita." Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as…

Summary

Published
7 June 2019
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