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

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

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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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

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

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

27 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3717

Location

Ma’arat Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
A civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma'arat Al Harma, Hama governorate, on May 27th, 2019, according to local sources. Another civilian was reportedly injured. Smart News wrote that "on May 27th, warplanes bombed the town of Ma'arat Harma, near Idlib, with explosive barrels and naval mines, causing destruction of…

Summary

Published
27 May 2019
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