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

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3644

Location

Bab Al Taqa, Hama, Syria
باب الطاقة
At least one civilian was wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes hit the village of Bab Al Taqa, west of Hama, on May 3rd, 2019, local media reported. Smart News Agency wrote that, according to activists, "a civilian was wounded by Russian airstrikes on the village of Bab Al Taqa, west…

Summary

Published
3 May 2019
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Incident Date

3 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3643

Location

Al Bouyib, Hama, Syria
البويب
Up to two civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Bouyib in Jabal Shahshab on May 3rd, 2019, according to local sources. Two others were reportedly injured. According to Step News Agency, one civilian was killed, while Smart News Agency put the death toll at two civilians and added that…

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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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

2 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3640

Location

Abdita, Idlib, Syria
أبديتا
One elderly man died and a woman was wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib, according to local media. According to the White Helmets, "a man was killed and a large house and property destroyed when a fire broke out in the village of Abdita. Helicopters targeted the village of…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
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Incident Date

2 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3639

Location

Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria
بسقلا
One civilian was reported killed and others seriously injured as Bsqala in Idlib was targeted with explosive barrels and naval bombs on May 2nd 2019. According to local source Step News, "Russian and Syrian warplanes and helicopters" operated over villages and towns in Idlib, striking a bakery and a kindergarten in Bsqala and killing one…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
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