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

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4411

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
The town of Taftanaz was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2020, resulting in up to five injuries to civilians, including a woman and two children. Two tweets from@EyadHoms20 claimed that “Russian occupation aircraft” struck residential areas within Taftanaz “with several missiles”. The Baladi Network supported the use of missiles upon the…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4407

Location

معارة النعسان, Ma’aret Al Na’ssan, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was injured and a fire broke out in a fuel refining station as the result of airstrikes on the town of Ma'arat Al Na'ssan in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 3rd, 2020, as reported by the Syrian Civil Defence. @NagiNajjar reported: "Russian warplanes launch missile strikes on the town of Maarat…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4408

Location

بنش, Binnish , Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a child, was reported killed and at least two civilians sustained injuries after an alleged airstrike of Syrian Armed Forces or Russian Armed Forces on the city of Binnish, in the northeastern countryside of Idlib on February 2nd, 2020. According to multiple sources, including @syriapostnew1, warplanes attacked agricultural lands located south of the…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4412

Location

كفرناها, Kafarnaha, Aleppo, Syria
Two men were killed and other civilians wounded, including children, following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafarnaha, Aleppo on February 6th 2020, according to local media reports. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "The brothers Mustafa and Ibrahim Hamdou Abdul Qader were killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4409

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
An undisclosed number of civilians were reported killed or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on February 3rd, 2020, according to SMART News. SMART reported that there were "victims of the airstrikes from Russian warplanes on the town of Taftanaz", but did not specify the number…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4413

Location

قميناس, Qmenas, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a journalist, was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Qmenas on February 3, 2020. A tweet from @LWMiMxsIhhMDCwA reported that "Syria TV correspondent Mustafa Al-Khalaf was injured, while covering the bombing of the regime's militias on the village of Qmenas". Syrian Network for Human Rights added that he was…

Summary

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