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

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3596

Location

Kafr A’mem, Idlib, Syria
كفر عميم
Two civilians - both reportedly women - died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in Kafr A’mem, according to multiple local sources. Edlib Media Center reported: "Two women were killed and about 20 others were injured, mostly children, when the Russian occupation aircraft…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
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Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3595

Location

Idlib Central Prison, Idlib, Syria
سجن ادلب المركزي
Local sources reported that two Russian planes launched eight raids on the city of Idlib, including residential areas. Baladi News reported that six airstrikes struck the central prison west of the city of Idlib causing the destructing of one of the buildings. Multiple civilians including prisoners and prison staff were reported killed and wounded while…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
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Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3594

Location

Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
تل مرديخ
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tal Mardikh, Idlib governorate, on March 13th, 2019. Horrya wrote: "According to a reporter, Russian warplanes launched heavy air raids, on Tuesday night [March 12th], with rockets and vacuum and concussion missiles on the city of Sarakib and…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
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Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3593

Location

Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Subul, Idlib governorate, on March 13th, 2019. Edlib Media Center reported that "civilians were wounded by Russian airstrikes with high-explosive missiles on the town of Khan Al Sabul east of Idlib."  Step Agency wrote that "Russian Air Force…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
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Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3592

Location

Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Two women were reported wounded in an alleged Russian air or artillery strike on Saraqeb on March 13th, 2019, according to sources on the ground. On March 13th Neda reported: "At night, Russian aircraft fired heavy artillery at the town of Sarqab in the eastern suburb of Idlib using high-explosive rockets, injuring two women." Al…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
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Incident Date

11 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3591

Location

Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفرزيتا,
Two civilians were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian artillery or rocket strike on Kafr Zeita, according to sources on the ground. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that "two civilians were wounded as a result of artillery shelling targeting the town of Kfar Zeita in the northern suburbs of Hama." Facebook page…

Summary

Published
11 March 2019
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