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

2 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3638

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
According to local sources, Russian "fixed-wing warplanes" struck what was described as a "bird shack" on the eastern outskirts of the town of Kansafra in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, killing up to four members of the same family. The Syrian Network for Human Rights described the location as a poultry farm that displaced persons…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
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Incident Date

2–3 May, 2019

Incident Code

RS3637

Location

Qulidine, Hama, Syria
قليدين
An alleged Russian airstrike struck a house in the village of Qaleidin in Sahl Al Ghab  in the western countryside of Hama on the morning of May 3rd. According to local sources, between four and five civilians were killed including two women. While most sources reported on four civilians, Baladi News put the death toll…

Summary

Published
2 May 2019
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Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3636

Location

Abidin, Idlib, Syria
عابدين
Up to four civilians died including women and children in alleged Russia and/or regime airstrikes on a car fleeing Abdin, local media reported. Sources reported that an initial strike destroyed homes and that residents attempting to flee in a car were then hit. According to Smart News, a total of six civilians including two women…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
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Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3632

Location

Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria
القصابية
Halab Today reported that several civilians were wounded by airstrikes in the towns of Al-Qasabiya and Tramla in the countryside of Idlib. While a number of sources reported the airstrikes without citing casualties, Halab Today TV referred to "several wounded" in the attack. Macro Media Center said also that a school was struck by the…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
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Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3634

Location

Al Mentar, Idlib, Syria
المنطار
Two children were reported wounded when the village of Al-Mentar, near the town of Muhambal in the western suburb of Idlib, was struck by an "aerial bombardment" on the morning of May 1st. Almanar didn't mention civilian harm but reported that "Yesterday [May 1st], units of the army [the Assad regime] arrested a number of…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
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Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3635

Location

Tramla, Idlib, Syria
ترملا
Local sources reported that several civilians were injured by Russian or Syrian regime forces that dropped explosive barrels on Tramla in the countryside of Idlib. According to Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib, a "helicopter targeted the town of Trmala with two barrels, and its southern and western sides with an explosive barrel and five sea…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
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