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

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3759

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Local sources reported that in a night-time rocket attack on the town of Kafar Nabil near Idlib, more than 15 surface-to-surface missiles and rocket launchers were fired from the positions of Russia and the regime forces north of Hama province, causing fires in the city. Smart News initially claimed that five civilians were wounded, while…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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Incident Date

5 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3760

Location

Jidar Al Khoudur, Idlib, Syria
جدار الخضر
Local sources reported that five civilians were injured in airstrikes on Jidar Al Khoudur, Idlib, on June 5th. Both sources attributed the attack to Russia and stated that four children and one woman were wounded in the airstrikes. Edlib Media Center reported "five wounded, including four children and a woman, after the Russian occupation aircraft…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3750

Location

Deir Sunbul, Idlib, Syria
ديرسنبل
Local sources reported that on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out a series of airstrikes using rockets and heavy artillery shells on several cities, killing one child in Deir Sunbul and injuring other civilians. The source claimed that the rockets used were loaded with phosphorus. The victim child…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3751

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Local sources reported the death of one civilian in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 4th. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Abdul Razzaq al Hamwiya. @yamanalbauosh tweeted a video saying the rocket used in the attack carried phosphorous, and @SYR_REV_NEWS said vacuum rockets were also used. While Smart News…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3752

Location

Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib, Syria
معرة الصين
Up to two civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Ma'arat Al Sin, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV tweeted that "one person was killed and others were wounded, as the regime's warplanes targeted the…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3756

Location

Al Faqi', Idlib, Syria
الفقيع
One civilian was reportedly killed and an unknown number of others was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Faqi', Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. @MasarPressNet tweeted: "A civilian was martyred in air strikes by Assad's forces on the town of Al Faqi' in…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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