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

13 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3687

Location

Kafar Nubul , Idlib, Syria
كفر نبل
Two missiles struck the Syrian Civil Defense Center, destroying the building and damaging several vehicles, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "fixed-wing warplanes" believed to be Russian fired the missiles. The director of the Syrian Civil Defense forces was allegedly lightly wounded in the attack. Smart News posted a…

Summary

Published
13 May 2019
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Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3684

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Up to three civilians including a woman died and three others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to source on the ground. The Step New Agency pointed to Russia and put the death toll at one civilian. However, most other sources attributed the civilian harm to…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
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Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3685

Location

Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
كفر نبل
Up to four civilians including a child and one or two women died and as many as 20 other civilians were wounded in shelling on Kafar Nabil, according to local media. Sources blamed surface-to-surface missiles, cluster bombs and rockets for the civilian harm and were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were to…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
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Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3681

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
One civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kfar Zeita, multiple local sources reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Loay Barazi was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Kfar Zeita city in Hama governorate northern suburbs, on May 10th."

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
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Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3682

Location

Ma’aret Al Seen, Hama, Syria
معرة الصين
Two brothers and their mother died in an airstrike on Ma’aret Al Seen, according to local media. Local Coordination Committees of Syria attributed the three deaths to Russia. However, a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported "The children brothers Mohammad and Nasr al…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
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Incident Date

10 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3683

Location

Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria
كفرنبوده
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "Karmo al Abado, from Kafr Nbouda town in Hama governorate northwestern suburbs, was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Mazarea Qerata area in north of Kafr Nbouda town, on May 10." However, Bawaba Hama said that a civilian also was wounded identified…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
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