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

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4381

Location

بشنطرة, Bashantra, Aleppo, Syria
One person died and an unspecified number of others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Bashranta on January 28, 2020, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Center whether the person killed was a civilian. Both the Shahba Press and Zaiton Agency released reports of multiple civilians killed due…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4386

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
One civilian male was wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike and/or artillery strike on Al Bara. Ariha Today reported that "at 10:52, a regime warplane targeted the area around the town of Al-Bara. At 11:18, a helicopter raid targeted the Al-Bara town, targeting a bakery and a mosque in the town, wounding a civilian man."…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4379

Location

الهوتة, Al Houta, Aleppo, Syria
On January 28th, 2020 the village of Al Houta, outside of Aleppo was struck by Russian warplanes, resulting in the wounding of numerous civilians. The Shahba Press reported that numerous civilians were wounded in airstrikes but did not release any names or specific numbers. A correspondent for Step Agency reported that warplanes struck Al Houta…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4382

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al Subl, Idlib, Syria
Two Syrian Civil Defence volunteers were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Khan Al Subl, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. SMART News Agency reported that the Syrian regime and Russia carried out air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Idlib governorate,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4383

Location

كفرلاته, Kafarlata, Idlib, Syria
Two brothers were killed and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafarlata, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. Step Agency reported that "two civilians were killed and others wounded due to artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces targeting the village of Kafarlata…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4384

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
Between three and six civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. According to a tweet from @JennRollins1002, three to six men were killed in the town of Hass by regime helicopters that dropped barrel bombs on the town. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident