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

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4361

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched air strikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling that targeted the points of clashes, cities and towns, villages of Kafr Hamra, Al Atareb, Huritan, Khan Toman, Khan al-Asal, scientific research, Mansoura, Zorba, al-Kamari, Zaitan, al-Artyq, al-Barqum, the halls of Lermoun, Khalsa,…

Summary

Published
25 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4363

Location

البرقوم, Al Barqoum, Aleppo, Syria
At least one woman was wounded in an alleged Russian air or artillery strike on Al Barqoum, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency reported: "the village of Al-Barqum, Khulsa, Barnah and the vicinity of Al-Kamari village, and the Khan Toman area were subjected to air strikes from the Russian warplanes, which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4362

Location

تل منس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
Three or four Syrian Civil Defense ‘White Helmets’ volunteers were reported lightly wounded when Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted their center in Tal Menes in Idlib, Syria on January 25th, 2020, according to local sources. Syrian Civil Defense said in a FB post that “Saleh Ihrahim, Ihab Hashash, and Abdul Qadir Al-Sulaiman, three volunteers…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4357

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Eight people, including six children, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime double raid on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. In addition, a Syrian Civil Defence ambulance was burned. Step News reported five wounded. @Ahmad_1alshble tweeted that the injured were identified as: Falak Talal…

Summary

Published
23 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4358

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Aleppo, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Aleppo governorate on January 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that the Kafar Hamra, Khan Al Asal, Khalsa, Khan Toman, Al Zorba, Zaitan, Al Hamira, Shwayneh, Lirmoun, Kafar…

Summary

Published
23 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4359

Location

دار عزة, Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria
Six children and a man were reported injured as a result of the explosion of a cluster bomb remnant of an alleged previous Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Dar Ezza in Aleppo, Syria, on January 23rd, 2020. SMART said: “Six children and a young man were injured Thursday, as a result of the explosion…

Summary

Published
23 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident