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

6 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3765

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
One to five civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 6th. While Shaam News reported that one child had been killed in airstrikes, Syria Civil Defense stated that "five civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of the intensive shelling of the residential neighborhoods of Khan Sheikhoun…

Summary

Published
6 June 2019
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Incident Date

6 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3764

Location

Al-Habit, Idlib, Syria
الهبيط
One source reported the injury of a member of Syrian Civil Defense in airstrikes on Madaya, Idlib, June 6th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Ahmad Dab’an, a member of Syria Civil Defense was injured in his foot as warplanes, we believe were Russian, fired missiles in Madaya village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on June…

Summary

Published
6 June 2019
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Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3761

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
One  source claimed that during the night on June 5th, "three civilians were killed and wounded" by the Russian and Syrian regime forces in an attack on a number of cities, including Kafr Sijnah. The source did not specify where the civilians were killed and wounded. The other sources said that Kafrsajna was targeted with…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3762

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Four civilians including a woman and two children from the same family were reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on June 5th. Local sources stated that of those killed, two were children, and one was a woman, and a later source reports the death of a man, in addition…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3763

Location

Kafar A’waid, Idlib, Syria
كفرعويد
According to local sources, five civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr A'waid on June 5th, 2019. 10 others, including four children, were reportedly wounded. Local sources reported that in the morning of June 5th, Russian and Syrian regime forces fired…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3758

Location

Morek, Hama, Syria
مورك
A woman was reported killed in Morek and others injured, when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly fired rockets and heavy artillery shells. The victim was named by local sources as Sa'adiya Qattash. They also said that the shelling originated from Al Kabariya camp. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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