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

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3671

Location

Marj Al Zuhour, Idlib, Syria
مرج الزهور
Up to four civilians were reported killed and eight others including two children were reported injured as Russian forces or Syrian regime targeted with airstrikes or artillery Marj Al Zohur in Idlib on May 7th, 2019, according to local reports. Two of those killed were workers with a humanitarian organisation for food support. The Local…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3667

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Alleged Russian "airliners and helicopters" carried out missile strikes, also described as rocket attacks, on the outskirts of the village Ma'ra Haramah. Local sources reported that the strikes struck residential areas in the village, killing a civilian and causing extensive damage to civilian homes. Several other civilians were reported wounded. No other details are known…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3672

Location

Kafar Mous, Idlib, Syria
كفرموس
Local sources reported that a helicopter bombed the village of Kfar Mous in Jabal Shahshabo with an "explosive barrel" in the evening. The Syrian Civil Defense forces reported that a man was killed and another man, two women and two children were wounded. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported "the martyrdom of a man…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3660

Location

Shnan, Idlib, Syria
شنان
A child and a woman were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes near Al Tawhid mosque in the middle of Shnan village on May 6th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. Warplanes fired missiles near Al Tawhid Mosque in the middle of Shnan village in Jabal al-Zawiyeh…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
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Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3659

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
A single source claimed that civilians, including children, were wounded when an alleged Russian airstrike struck the town of Kafr Sijnah in southern Idlib on May 6th, 2019. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
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Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3661

Location

Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria
الزربة
Between two and four civilians were killed and up to five, including a child, were wounded when alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes struck civilian homes and a health centre in the town of Al Zirba, south of Aleppo on May 6th, 2019. Smart News Agency reported that an unspecified number of civilians was killed…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
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