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

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

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

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

29 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3623

Location

Al Hawwash, Hama, Syria
الحواش
Civilians were wounded in alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Hawwash, local media reported. Halab Today TV, reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on the village of Hawwash in the western suburb of Hama. However, a number of other sources blamed barrel bombing by the…

Summary

Published
29 April 2019
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Incident Date

28 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3622

Location

Al Bashiriya, Idlib, Syria
البشيرية
Local media reported that two children were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes with vacuum rockets on the town of Al Bashiriya in Idlib. EdlibEmc1 posted "Two children were injured as a result the targeting by the Russian occupation warplanes of the town of Al Bashiriya west of Idlib with concussion missiles." No further details are…

Summary

Published
28 April 2019
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Incident Date

27–28 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3621

Location

Qal’et Al Madiq in Sahl Al Ghab, Hama, Syria
قلعة المضيق
Between three and seven civilians including up to five women died and as many as 10 more non-combatants were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on different locations in Qal’et Al Madiq in Sahl Al Ghab on the night of April 27th, local media reported. While the majority of sources blamed Russia, one source…

Summary

Published
27 April 2019
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