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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4360

Location

Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
بلدات متعددة,
Shaam Network reported that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes 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, al-Eis, al-Rashideen,…

Summary

Published
25 January 2020
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4355

Location

Arinba, Idlib, Syria
ارنبة
Three civilians, a mother and her two children were killed and another child was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Arinba, Idlib governorate, in the night between January 22nd 2020 and January 23rd 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that it had "documented the death of…

Summary

Published
23 January 2020
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4356

Location

near Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
قرب سراقب
Three children were killed alongside two adults in alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm housing displaced people near Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on January 23rd, 2020, according to local sources. Up to fifteen people, including children and women, were injured. According to Step News Agency correspondent Hassan Al Muhammed, “the Russian aviation inflicted a massacre on…

Summary

Published
23 January 2020
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4357

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
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
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4358

Location

several towns, Aleppo, Syria
بلدات متعددة
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
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4359

Location

Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria
دار عزة
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
View Incident