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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

24 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3582

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
A civilian man and a woman died and up to six civilians were wounded in alleged regime or Russian air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on February 24th, 2019, according to sources on the ground. @abuhuzaifa_ noted "5 days of continuous and daily shelling of my city", stating that the smell of blood was everywhere.…

Summary

Published
24 February 2019
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Incident Date

23 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3581

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
In renewed artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun, up to seven civilians died, and between six and 15 were wounded, according to local media. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame - though the majority pointed to the regime. Sources reported that the Syrian regime were stationed at Kubaybat al-Huda camp in the eastern suburb…

Summary

Published
23 February 2019
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Incident Date

19 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3579

Location

Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Two civilians were "lightly injured" in an artillery bombardment of Ma'arat Al Nu'man. While most sources blamed the regime, there was also an allegation against Russia. Footage shows a medical team rushing to the scene immediately after the strike as search operations begin for civilian casualties. None were reported. Another video published shows dogs are…

Summary

Published
19 February 2019
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Incident Date

19 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3578

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
In a renewed artillery bombardment of Khan Sheikhoun, between four and five civilians were killed, including three from one family, and others were injured, following a strike on a bakery. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Huge fires broke out, according to…

Summary

Published
19 February 2019
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Incident Date

16 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3576

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
A continuation of artillery shelling on the residential neighbourhood of Khan Sheikhoun meant that between two and 16 civilians were killed, and six or more were wounded, following another "massacre" on the 15th of February. Sources were conflicted as too who was to blame. Most attributed blame the Syrian regime, however, some also blamed Russia.…

Summary

Published
16 February 2019
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Incident Date

15 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3575

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
In what has been described my local media as a massacre, between eight and 14 civilians were killed, including women and children, and "dozens" were injured, following artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib. Most of the local media alleged that the Syrian regime were to blame for the strikes, however some…

Summary

Published
15 February 2019
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