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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3746

Location

Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
الزكاة
Two civilians including a woman were reported killed and another woman injured in artillery shelling or airstrikes on Al-Zakat in Hama on June 2nd, 2019. Shaam News reported the death of two civilians in airstrikes on Al Zakat, Hama, June 2nd. The two victims were identified as Dia'a Muhammad Al-Essi and Asia Al-Saleh. The injured woman…

Summary

Published
2 June 2019
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Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3745

Location

Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria
كفرلاته
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Lata, Idlib, on June 2nd, 2020, according to local sources. Two other civilians were injured. Several sources reported civilian casualties as the result of airstrikes on Kafar Lata. The Syrian Civil Defence, among other sources, reported one civilian death. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
2 June 2019
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Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3744

Location

Al-Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
A child was killed and seven others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Bara on June 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV reported that "a civilian was killed and others were wounded due to the regime air forces' shelling in the town of Al Bara, south of…

Summary

Published
2 June 2019
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Incident Date

2 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3743

Location

Al Arba’een, Hama, Syria
الأربعين
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Al Arba’een, Hama, on June 2nd. The victim was identified as Youssef Khaled Al-Ali Al-Mubarak.  While Smart News claimed that "two civilians were wounded in by a missile attack", Shaam news and @so_ria98 reported one fatality in the airstrike. Shaam News made reference to…

Summary

Published
2 June 2019
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Incident Date

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3742

Location

Sheikh Dames, Idlib, Syria
شيخ دامس
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sheikh Dames on June 1st, 2019, according to local sources. Up to four others, including a child, were reportedly injured. @ShahbaPress reported "a martyr and four wounded civilians, including a child, in airstrikes on Sheikh Damis village near the city of Khan…

Summary

Published
1 June 2019
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Incident Date

1 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3741

Location

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) , Aleppo, Syria
ايكاردا
Civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) near Aleppo on June 1st, 2019, according to local sources. Al Jazeera wrote that "opposition sources said that Russian and Syrian aircraft targeted the city of Atarib, the village of Barqoum and…

Summary

Published
1 June 2019
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