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

9 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3680

Location

Jozef, Hama, Syria
جوزف
Two civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jozef, Hama governorate, on May 9th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Al Araby, "The Edlib Media Center said that two civilians were killed at dawn today [May 9th], and others were injured, as a result of the targeting by Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
9 May 2019
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Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3677

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Hama, Syria
خان شيخون
Up to four civilians, including a child, were killed and at least 11 civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Hama governorate, on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Several sources reported that a total of three civilians were killed, including the Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
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Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3678

Location

Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
الزكاة
A young civilian male from the town of Latamna was killed by Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Zakat in Hama on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV wrote that "a young man from the town of Al Latamneh was killed by artillery shelling on the village of Zakat in…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
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Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3679

Location

Heesh, Hama, Syria
حيش
Up to three civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Heesh on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Four others were reportedly injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians, including a woman, man and the girl Hanaa Jawhar al Saeed,…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
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Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3673

Location

Al-Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
A civilian was killed and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Bara in rural Idlib on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Jorf News wrote that "a civilian was killed and others were wounded by airstrikes on the town of Al Bara in the southern…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3674

Location

Abdin, Idlib, Syria
عابدين
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdin village in Idlib governorate on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Baladi News reported that two civilians were killed in airstrikes on the village of Abdin, Idlib countryside. Zaiton Mag reported one killed civilian by a helicopter strike. All…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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