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

17 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3577

Location

Abo Jabbar, Aleppo, Syria
ابو جبار
Three children were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Abo Jabbar town, Aleppo - though only one source has reported the event. The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed three unidentified children as victims of "warplane shelling" by "Russian troops".  

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
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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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Incident Date

10 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3574

Location

Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
A 38-year-old-man was reported wounded by artillery shelling in Al Lataminah, in the north of Hama. Some sources blamed the Russian forces while others blamed regime forces. No further details are known at this time.

Summary

Published
10 February 2019
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Incident Date

9 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3573

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
An eight year old child was killed and his two brothers injured when cluster munition exploded in the city of Hraytan north of Aleppo. Local sources reported that the cluster munition was a remnant of earlier Russian or regime shelling. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the cluster bomb had been dropped by…

Summary

Published
9 February 2019
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Incident Date

8 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3572

Location

Wadi Al Azeeb, Hama, Syria
وادي العذيب أو وادي العزيب
Up to nine civilians were killed and others were wounded in an explosion in Wadi Al Azeeb. Sources on the ground reported that "cluster bombs" exploded believed to be remnants of previous shelling  conducted by the Russian- or regime forces. Other sources reported that the explosion was caused by a landmine. According to one local…

Summary

Published
8 February 2019
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