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

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3647

Location

Kafar A’ouid, Idlib, Syria
كفرعويد
Between four and six civilians including a child and up to three women wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Uwayd city in Idlib, local media said. There were also reports of artillery strikes. According to 7alnet, "two men and three women were injured". However, Radio Fresh reported that "six civilians, including…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
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Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3648

Location

Al Ganoudia, Idlib, Syria
الجانودية
Alleged Russian or regime strikes struck the outskirts of the town of Ganoudia in the western countryside of Idlib. An unknown number of civilians including children were reported wounded on May 4th, 2019. Pro regime sources said that the attacks targeted Al-Nusra Front in the area, killing and injuring a number of its members.

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
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Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3652

Location

Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
معرة حرمة
Between one and three civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ma'aret Hrema in Idlib, local media reported, adding that cluster bombs have been used in the attack. According to Smart News, both Russia and the Syrian regime forces were to blame for killing one…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
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Incident Date

4 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3653

Location

Rakaya Sijna, Idlib, Syria
ركايا سجنة
An alleged Russian or regime double airstrike near Al Rakaya village in the southern countryside of Idlib reportedly killed two civilians. The Syrian Civil Defense forces reported that one of their volunteers was driving their ambulance to the site where a Russian airstrike had killed a woman, when he himself was struck by a second…

Summary

Published
4 May 2019
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Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3641

Location

Jab Suleiman, Hama, Syria
جب سليمان
On the morning of May 3rd, alleged Russian airstrikes struck different areas in Sahl Al Ghab and Jabal Shashbu in the western countryside of Hama, local sources reported. Between one and five civilians were reported killed in the village of Jib Sulaiman in Jabal Shaheshbo, including up to two women. @IdlibPlus reported the death of…

Summary

Published
3 May 2019
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Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3642

Location

Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
الهبيط
A male civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on May 3r, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other man was reportedly wounded. HalabTodayTV reported that a civilian was killed in airstrikes by a warplane, without identifying the belligerent. Al Arabiya reported…

Summary

Published
3 May 2019
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