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

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3734

Location

Al Ziyadiya, Idlib, Syria
الزيادية
Three men were killed and up to six others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Ziyadiya, Idlib governorate, on May 31st, 2019, according to local sources. The village of Ziyadiya was struck by artillery shelling believed to have been carried out by the Syrian regime forces from…

Summary

Published
31 May 2019
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Incident Date

31 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3735

Location

Kafar Awaid, Idlib, Syria
كفرعويد
Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and two volunteers for the Syrian Civil Defense were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime double airstrikes on the village of Kafar Awaid in the area of ​​Ma'arat Al Nu'man on May 31st, 2019. @HalabTodayTV reported that "a civilian was killed and others were wounded as a…

Summary

Published
31 May 2019
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Incident Date

30 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3732

Location

Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Five civilians, including at least two children, were killed and up to ten more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Al Numan on May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCivilDefe) reported that "five martyrs elevated and 10 others were injured, trapped under…

Summary

Published
30 May 2019
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Incident Date

30 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3731

Location

Kfarouma, Idlib, Syria
كفروما
Up to two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kfarouma, Idlib, May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. Step News and Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that a father and a daughter had died in the bombardment. Meanwhile, Local Coordination Committee for Syria only referred…

Summary

Published
30 May 2019
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Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3728

Location

Sarja, Idlib, Syria
سرجة
At least seven civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Sarja, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. At least 10 others were reported injured. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCiviDefe) wrote on Twitter that "seven civilians, including five women and a child, were…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
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Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3727

Location

Masibin, Idlib, Syria
مصيبين
Two civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Masabin, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Shaam News, "the Russian Air Force and the Syrian Air Force carried out very heavy air raids and shelling" in a number of locations, leading to the deaths of…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
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