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

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

RS3718

Location

Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, Syria
خان العسل
Two civilians were killed and others injured in a Russian airstrike on the town of Khan al-Asal countryside, West Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. Some of the local sources said that airstrike targeted a mosque there. @NagiNajjar tweeted "two martyrs, after an airstrike that targeted a mosque in the town of Khan al-Asal in the…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3724

Location

Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria
A mother and child were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrikes on Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. A number of sources stated that two civilians had been killed in the strike, whereas Step News Agency reported only one fatality. A…

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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Incident Date

28 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3725

Location

Khan Al Subul, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians, including two children, were killed and at least 12 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Khan Al Sabin, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. In what Shahba Press referred to as "heavy air raids", Syria Civil Defense claimed that…

Summary

Published
28 May 2019
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Incident Date

27 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3716

Location

Hezarin, Idlib, Syria
حزارين
Two to seven civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Hezarin, Idlib, May 27th. Shahba News initially claimed that three were killed in the strikes from the same family, including one child, later reporting six deaths and "dozens wounded". Edlib Media Center initially reported two killed, yet also stated that the figure rose to six…

Summary

Published
27 May 2019
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