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

15 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4644

Location

Al Zarzour town, Idlib, Syria
محيط بلدة الزرزور
One child was killed and three other civilians, two children and a woman, were injured in eight alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Zarzour on September 15, 2021. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, a woman and three children were injured when eight airstrikes by Russian planes struck a poultry farm between Zarzour and…

Summary

Published
15 September 2021
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Incident Date

15 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4643

Location

Al Hamama town, Idlib, Syria
بلدة الحمامة
At least three children were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Hamamah on September 15, 2021. A tweet from @alfuratyalatiqe that three children were wounded in Russian strikes near the village of Al Hamamah and that this was the preliminary result of the attack. @anasanas84 also reported that there were wounded civilians,…

Summary

Published
15 September 2021
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Incident Date

8 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4641

Location

Marayan, Idlib, Syria
مرعيان
At least one woman was killed and one to five others, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on a home and medical facility in Marayan on September 8, 2021. According to @HadiAlabdallah, Russian airstrikes hit Marian Medical Center, the last medical center in Jabal Al-Zawiya, and killed one woman and…

Summary

Published
8 September 2021
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Incident Date

8–9 September, 2021

Incident Code

RS4642

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
Between four and six civilians, including two women, were injured by Russian or regime forces on September 8/9, 2021. According to @ajmurgent, five civilians were wounded, including a woman, in artillery shelling by the regime forces while a tweet from @mhmdfaisel put the injury toll at four. A tweet from @thawrat111 listed the named of…

Summary

Published
8 September 2021
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Incident Date

7 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4639

Location

Maryam refugee camp, Idlib, Syria
مخيم مريم
Between four and eight civilians, including three to six children and one to two women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on IDPs living in "Maryam" refugee camp in Syria on September 7, 2021. Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) reported that four children and two women were injured in Russian air strikes targeting the outskirts of…

Summary

Published
7 September 2021
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Incident Date

7 September 2021

Incident Code

RS4640

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
ادلب
Between four and five civilians, including a child, were reported killed and up to 15 other civilians injured in alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery attacks in Idlib city, on September 7 2021. Andalou Agency was alone in reporting that the attack was also carried out by Iranian backed militias. This attack was widely noted…

Summary

Published
7 September 2021
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