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

30 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4391

Location

مجدليا, Majdalia, Idlib, Syria
SMART Agency reported from the Syrian Civil Defense that that seven civilians including a woman were wounded as a result of Russian forces airstrikes on Majdalia village in Idlib, Syria on January 30th, 2020. No further details are available at the moment.  

Summary

Published
30 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4393

Location

الجانوديه, Al Janoudiya, Idlib, Syria
A child was wounded on January 30th 2020 during a bombing raid in the town of Al Janoudiya. The young girl was the only reported casualty of this raid. The victim, identified as Rua'a Ghazal, was wounded under her left eye, as reported by Smart News and locals tweeting about the event. The bombing took…

Summary

Published
30 January 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

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4388

Location

كفرلاتة, Kafarlata, Idlib, Syria
Up to 19 civilians, including at least four children and two women, were killed and more than 20 civilians reported injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Lata on January 29th, 2020, according to local sources. The initial death toll was put at five killed civilians by the Syrian…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–21
Civilians reported injured
17–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4389

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and another injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on a market in Saraqib city center, or on displaced people in the outskirts of Saraqib on January 29th, 2020 according to local sources. On January 29th, 2020, Edlib Media Center reported "A martyr and several wounded people,…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4390

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
In a massive incident, up to 14 civilians including up to four children, six women and a health worker were reported killed and between 35 and 71 also including children, women and health personnel injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, Syria in the night between January 29th and…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6–14
Civilians reported injured
35–71
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4387

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Aleppo, Syria
Shaam Network reported that on January 29th, 2020, "The Assad and Russian warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes, most of which targeted the areas of clashes and the towns of Al-Abzimu, Al-Kamari and Jazaria, causing civilian casualties, with thousands of people still being displaced from the targeted areas." No further details are available about that.

Summary

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