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

4,431 – 6,522

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 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
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
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

11 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4439

Location

حي الصناعة, Al Sinaa neighborhood, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
Up to 16 civilians, including seven children, were killed and 33 civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Sinaa (commercial) neighborhood of Idlib city on February 11th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib reported that "12 people were killed and 33 others injured so far,…

Summary

Published
11 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12–16
Civilians reported injured
22–33
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4440

Location

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Syria
On February 11, 2020 the city of Zardana was struck by an air raid from Russian or regime forces that killed two men. Syrian Civil Defense as well as local witnesses reported that warplanes, using machine guns, struck a camp in Zardana with families and killing two men. Shaam News corroborated this story, but names…

Summary

Published
11 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4438

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Shaam Network reported that "The Assad and Russian aviation launched intensive and violent airstrikes targeting the areas of clashes and civilian homes in Idlib on February 11th, 2020, which led to many civilians wounded in the cities, towns and villages of Kafr Nabl, Benish and Sarmin, the two bridges, Sheikh Dames, Kafr Sijnah, Marabaya, Hass,…

Summary

Published
11 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4435

Location

الاتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
From multiple incidents in the same day, three civilians including a child were reported killed and more than 25 others, including a woman and a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Atarib in Aleppo, Syria on February 10th 2020, via local sources. A Facebook post from Anastracey identified two…

Summary

Published
10 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4436

Location

كفر عروق, Kafr Arouq, Idlib, Syria
A child was reported killed and up to seven other civilians injured when allegedly Russian forces and/or Syrian regime forces targeted with airstrikes Kafr Arouq in Idlib, Syria on February 10th, 2020 according to local sources. Initial reports from local sources said at least one person was dead and three wounded from the air strike.…

Summary

Published
10 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4437

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
On February 10th, a collection of villages and towns were struck by Russian airstrikes, resulting in the wounding and killing of civilians. Shaam News noted strikes were carried out by both Russian and Assad regime forces against the villages and towns of Idlib, Kafrnbel, Sarmin, Ketian, Maarat al-Na`san, Zardana, Arab Saeed, Kallali and Kafraruq, and…

Summary

Published
10 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident