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

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3669

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
A civilian and his pregnant wife were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama governorate, on May 7th, 2019, according to local media. Several sources reported the death of two civilians, named as Zaid Mahmoud Al Rajou and his wife Laila Al Rajou. According to the Syrian Press Centre, Laila was five months…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3676

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
One civilian died of his injuries four days after alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Kfar Zeita, Hama governorate, on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Smart News reported that Russian artillery fire on the town of Kfar Zeita, north of Hama, wounded a number of civilians. Step News Agency wrote: "A…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

7 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3668

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
One woman was killed and two others, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kansafra on May 7th, according to local media. Several schools were reportedly targeted @HalabToday reported that "one woman was killed and others were injured, including children, when an explosive barrel was detonated on the town…

Summary

Published
7 May 2019
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Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3665

Location

Nabd Al Hayat hospital - Hass, Idlib, Syria
مشفى نبض الحياة - حاس
One civilian was reported killed and another injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Nabd Al-Hayat hospital in Hass, on May 6th, 2019. Jamal Al Farhat named Abdullah Khaled Al-Farhat as the victim. Airwars Syria Researcher spoke to a witness to this incident, Abu Abdallah who preferred to use a pseudonym and who was a…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
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Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3664

Location

Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفرزيتا
Local sources reported that alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck northern Kafar Zeita in the night of May 6th to May 7th, 2019. Four civilians were reported killed, including two women and two children of the same family. A man and three children were reported wounded. SyriaTV wrote that "the city of Kafar Zeita…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
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Incident Date

6 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3663

Location

Um Neir, Idlib, Syria
أم نير,
One civilian died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Neir, Idlib governorate, on May 6th, according to local media. Hmaid al Mohammad was killed as fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian fired a missile on Um Neir village in Idlib, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. An unknown number of civilians were also…

Summary

Published
6 May 2019
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