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

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 March 2019

Incident Code

RS3586

Location

Wadi al-Azeeb, Hama, Syria
وادي العزيب أو وادي العذيب,
Between seven and nine civilians died and several others were wounded when remnants from a cluster bomb or landmine allegedly dropped by either Russia or the Assad regime back in 2017 exploded in Wadi al-Azeeb on February 8th 2019. Halab Today reported: "According to the correspondent of Halab Today, the explosions killed seven people and a…

Summary

Published
8 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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Incident Date

1 February 2019

Incident Code

RS3570

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
One civilian died because of wounds he sustained as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime bombing on Kfar Zeita on February 1st, 2019 according to local sources. Other casualties among civilians were also reported. Local sources reported that Osama Hafez Al Rajo died on the morning of February 10th from wounds sustained…

Summary

Published
1 February 2019
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Incident Date

28 January 2019

Incident Code

RS3569

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفر نبل
A number of injuries among civilians were reported after an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces rocket attack on Kafr Nabl in Idlib on January 28th, 2019 according to sources on the ground. abds02747 tweeted that "Hossam al-Hassani and Mohammed al-Khatib were injured by the rocket attack that targeted the city of Kafr Nabl."…

Summary

Published
28 January 2019
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