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 4,842 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.
4,842 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.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

2 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4950

Location

Al-Thawra neighborhood, Idlib City, Syria, Idlib, Syria
حي الثورة في مدينة إدلب
On the morning of Monday, December 2, 2024, a devastating airstrike with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military hit the residential Al-Thawra neighborhood of Idlib city, Syria, reportedly killing between five and six civilians and injuring at least thirty more. Among the wounded were 11 children and nine women,…

Summary

Published
5 June 2025
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Incident Date

2 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4951

Location

Vicinity of Shehab Mosque, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
قرب جامع شهاب، إدلب
On Monday, December 2, 2024, an airstrike with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces struck al-Jalaa Street in central Idlib city, Syria, reportedly killing one civilian, 62-year-old man Ahmad bin Mohammad Subhi Asmar, and injuring 13 others, including a young man and several civilians in the vicinity of the…

Summary

Published
5 June 2025
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Incident Date

2 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4952

Location

Idlib University Hospital complex, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
مجمع ادلب الطبي، إدلب
In an attack on critical medical infrastructure on the afternoon of Monday, 2 December 2024, the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces allegedly hit a number of hospitals, including the building of Idlib Health Directorate and the University Hospital complex, in the city of Idlib, Syria, causing the death of up to four civilians and…

Summary

Published
4 June 2025
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Incident Date

2 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4949

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
‏خان شيخون‬
On Monday, December 2, 2024, a man named Abdul Latif Ahmed Mahloul, nicknamed Abu Juma, and a man named Ali Majdi Wardi were killed in a civilian car as a result of an airstrike with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military on a road in the town of Khan Sheikhoun,…

Summary

Published
22 July 2025
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Incident Date

1 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4941

Location

a popular market in the Bustan Ghanoum neighbourhood of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
حي بستان غنوم
Shortly before 3 PM on Sunday, 1 December 2024, an airstrike with the alleged use of vacuum missiles struck a popular market in the Bustan Ghanoum neighbourhood in Idlib, Syria killing at least four civilians, including a woman and a child,  and injuring two children and at least one woman.  Sources reported that the attack…

Summary

Published
23 June 2025
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Incident Date

1 December 2024

Incident Code

RS4942

Location

Al-Jami’a neighbourhood, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
حي الجامعة، مدينة إدلب
Shortly before 7:55 AM on Sunday, December 1st 2024, two camps for displaced persons, including Hay al-Jami'a camp located in the the Al-Jami’a neighborhood of Idlib, Syria, a public square and residential neighborhoods were hit by airstrikes that reportedly originated from the Syrian regime and/or Russian military forces and killed four civilians, including a woman,…

Summary

Published
4 June 2025
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