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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

25 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4583

Location

Quminas, Idlib, Syria
قميناس
Between one and two civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Quminas on June 25, 2021. @ShahbaPress reported that "two civilians were wounded in artillery shelling by the Assad forces and Russia". The majority of other sources also pointed to two civilians being injured in the strikes. A tweet…

Summary

Published
25 June 2021
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Incident Date

24 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4582

Location

Arihah, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
Between one and two civilians, including an elderly man, were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes and/or artillery on the city of Arihah on June 24, 2021. Baladi News reported that "the regime forces bombed with heavy artillery the city of Ariha, which led to the injury of an elderly man who was treated…

Summary

Published
24 June 2021
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Incident Date

23 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4581

Location

Afes Cemetery, Idlib, Syria
مقبرة افس
Between two and five civilians, including one to two children, were killed and five to eight others were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes and/or artillery strikes on Afes on June 23, 2021. According to @abazeid89, "artillery shelling (regime / Russia) targeted the cemetery of the town of Afs in Idlib during a funeral…

Summary

Published
23 June 2021
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Incident Date

23 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4580

Location

Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
الاتارب
At least one civilian, a woman, was killed and between two and three civilians, including a woman and one to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Al Atareb on June 23, 2021. According to Halab Today, "the family sat at the table to eat breakfast, when an artillery shell from…

Summary

Published
23 June 2021
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Incident Date

22 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4579

Location

Mantef, Idlib, Syria
منطف
At least one civilian, a child, was killed and at least two other civilians, a woman and one to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Mantef village on June 22, 2021. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, "a 17-year-old girl, named as Wafaa Abdul Hamid Qassoum, was killed while two…

Summary

Published
22 June 2021
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Incident Date

21 June 2021

Incident Code

RS4577

Location

Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
At least two civilians, both women, were killed and two to three others, including a woman, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Al Bara on June 21, 2021. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "two women, named as Wahidah Hamdou Abu Shakhah and Fatimah al Yasin, were killed and others injured…

Summary

Published
21 June 2021
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