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

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3729

Location

Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
A man and his two young children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara town in the Jabal al Zaweya area in Idlib on May 29th, according to local sources. The wife of the victim died of her injuries sustained in the attack on June 2nd. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
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Incident Date

29 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3730

Location

Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
الهبيط
At least three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. @NagiNajjar reported that "three civilian men were martyred as a result of an airstrike by the warplanes of the Assad forces on the outskirts of the town…

Summary

Published
29 May 2019
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Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3720

Location

Al-Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
A woman was reported killed and a child injured in an airstrike on several residential buildings on the outskirts of the city of Al Atareb west of Aleppo, according to local sources. The woman was identified as Mariam Bakkour. Step News reported that a woman was killed and a child injured in what it believed…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3721

Location

Hezarin, Idlib, Syria
حزارين
Local sources reported that Russian and Syrian warplanes launched raids striking several towns, including Hazarin where two children were allegedly killed. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3722

Location

Sufwhan, Idlib, Syria
سفوهن
A man and two women were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sufwhen, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five civilians, including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer, were reportedly injured. Shahba Press claimed that one woman had been killed and an unknown number of others were injured…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3726

Location

Kafar Halab, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حلب
Up to 11 civilians, including three children and two women, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Halab on May 28th, 2019, according to sources on the ground. 17 others were reportedly injured. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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