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

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3633

Location

Mushayrifah, Idlib, Syria
المشيرفة
One woman and between one and four children were reported wounded when a Russian aircraft struck the village of Al Mushayrifah in rural Idlib in the morning of May 1st. The Syrian Civil Defense forces reported that the children were struck by a "rocket-propelled grenade". HalabTodayTV and Syria.liveuamap pointed to Russia as the culprit. Smarts…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
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Incident Date

1 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3631

Location

M’arshourin, Idlib, Syria
معرشورين
Local sources reported airstrikes in the towns of Tarmala, Ma’arshrouin and Al Mashrifa in the countryside of Idlib. According to Step News and EdlibEMC1, one civilian was wounded when an airstrike struck the outskirts of the village of Ma’arshrouin. EdlibEMC1 claimed that the victim was a young man who was wounded when the village was…

Summary

Published
1 May 2019
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Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3626

Location

Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, Syria
خان العسل
At least one civilian died and four more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime strikes on Khan al-Asal, according to sources on the ground. The Shaam News reported that Russian military aircrafts carried out raids in the area of Khan al-Asal and Kafar Naha. The source reported wounded civilians but did not provide…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
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Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3625

Location

Kafar Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفرناها
Civilians were reported wounded after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Naha on April 30th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Shaam News Network, Russian jets carried out raids in the area of Khan Al Asal and Kafar Naha. The source reported wounded but did not provide more details. Aletihad Press also…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
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Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3627

Location

Al Hawaija, Hama, Syria
الحويجة
One civilian died and another was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Al Hawaija, Hama governorate, on April 30th, 2019, according to local media. Most sources blamed regime artillery for the civilian harm but there were also allegations that Russia carried out airstrikes. Local sources reported heavy artillery shelling in…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
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Incident Date

30 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3628

Location

Abdin, Idlib, Syria
عابدين
One or two civilians, including a woman, died and up to three others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Abdin, Idlib governorate, on April 30th, 2019, local media reported. Local sources reported that a woman was killed and others were injured when Abdin, south of Idlib, was struck…

Summary

Published
30 April 2019
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