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 Date Publication Date

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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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

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

RS3723

Location

Ihsem, Idlib, Syria
احسم
At least three children of the same family were killed and several civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The death toll was later updated to six civilians. Many sources reported that three children were killed from the same family in the…

Summary

Published
28 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

RS3719

Location

Al Bawabia, Aleppo, Syria
البوابية
A civilian was reported killed and eight others injured when an airstrike struck the village of Al Bawabia and a section of the Damascus-Aleppo international road in the morning of May 28th. The images shared by the Syrian Civil Defense shows that the victim is a man. The airstrike destroyed a civilian property and burned…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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