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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

22 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4703

Location

Al Mozra, Idlib, Syria
الموزرة
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of the village of Al Mozra on July 22, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that one civilian was wounded by artillery shelling by the Syrian regime and Russian forces on the village of Al Mozra. Various other sources, including the…

Summary

Published
22 July 2022
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Incident Date

22 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4704

Location

Al Jadida, Idlib, Syria
الجديدة
Up to eight civilians, including four to five children, were killed and up to 17 civilians, including between eight and nine children and a woman, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of Al-Jadida village and the outskirts of Al-Janoudia village on July 22, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) tweeted that seven…

Summary

Published
22 July 2022
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Incident Date

8 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4702

Location

Balion, Idlib, Syria
بليون
At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling of the village of Balion on July 8, 2022. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, a young man was wounded in artillery shelling of the village of Balion by the regime and Russian forces. Civil Defense volunteers took the injured man to…

Summary

Published
8 July 2022
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Incident Date

4 July 2022

Incident Code

RS4701

Location

Maret Al Nassan, Idlib, Syria
معارة النعسان
A pregnant woman and a child were killed and between one and three others, including up to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery/heavy machine gun attack on the village of Maret Al Nassan on July 4, 2022. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, a woman was killed and two children were injured in alleged…

Summary

Published
4 July 2022
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Incident Date

16 June 2022

Incident Code

RS4700

Location

Al Kahira, Hama, Syria
القاهرة
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Al Kahira on June 16, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a civilian was wounded when Syrian regime and Russian forces struck his car with a guided missile in the town of Al Kahira in Al-Ghab Plain. A tweet…

Summary

Published
16 June 2022
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Incident Date

12 May 2022

Incident Code

RS4699

Location

outskirts of Mantef village, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Jabal Al-Arba'een area on May 12, 2022. According to Baladi News, a civilian was wounded and a large number of poultry were killed by Russian strikes on a poultry farm located in the Jabal Al-Arba'een area in the southern countryside…

Summary

Published
12 May 2022
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