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

27 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3619

Location

Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Hamah Now reported that "a civilian was injured by Russian air strikes on the town of Al-Lataminah, north of Hama." Multiple other sources reported Russian strikes on the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it had "monitored more Russian air strikes in the town of Al-Lataminah in the northern suburbs of Hama,…

Summary

Published
27 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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Incident Date

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3615

Location

Tal Hawwash, Hama, Syria
تل هواش
Up to seven civilians from two families died and eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Tal Hawwash, according to sources on the ground. All sources but one alleged that Russia was to blame - though the Facebook page 'Al Muoali Clan History ' pointed to the Assad regime. JisrTV…

Summary

Published
26 April 2019
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Incident Date

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3616

Location

Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
Three civilians, reportedly two men and a baby girl, died and another five non-combatants were wounded in an airstrike on agricultural land between the town of Kafar Nabil and the village of Jbala in the southern suburb of Idlib, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though there was also an allegation that the Assad regime…

Summary

Published
26 April 2019
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Incident Date

26 April 2019

Incident Code

RS3617

Location

al Amqeya in Sahl Al Ghab, Hama, Syria
العمقية
At least five civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Amqeya in Sahl Al Ghab in Hama on the night of April 26th, local media reported. The lowest death count was given by Step New Agency at two civilians - though two…

Summary

Published
26 April 2019
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Incident Date

26–27 April, 2019

Incident Code

RS3618

Location

Al’inakwi in Sahl Al Ghab, Hama, Syria
العنكاوي
According to Step News Agency, "two people were killed and a number were wounded in several Russian air raids on the village of Al Amqeya and an air raid on the village of Al’inakawi in Sahal Al Ghab in the western countryside of Hama." On April 27th, the White Helmets reported: "The death of martyrs and…

Summary

Published
26 April 2019
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