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

22 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4349

Location

الاتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
Two women were killed and up to three other civilians, including two children and a woman, were wounded in up to three alleged Russian airstrikes on an IDP camp in the outskirts of Al Atareb, Syria local media reported. Jisr News identified the women that died as Mrs. Nofa Al Mohammed, aged 60, and Mrs.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4354

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian or regime shelling of Urma Al Kubra on January 22, 2020. According to @mhnalshikh, Syrian regime and Russian planes bombed Urma Al Kubra, among other cities in the western countryside of Aleppo that were affected by the bombing campaign. Shaam News identified one man as being…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4350

Location

القلعجية, Al Qal’ajiya, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported the death of one child and the injury of his brother in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Qal’ajiya. According to Shahba Press, “A civilian youth was martyred and his brother was injured as a result of air strikes on the village of Al Qal’ajiya in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Thursday…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4330

Location

لبوابية, Al Bawabiya, Aleppo, Syria
An elderly man was reported injured as a result of shelling of airstrikes that hit al-Bawabiya farms in Aleppo on January 21st, 2020. Syrian Civil Defense posted a video of their volunteers rescuing the elderly man. None of the other sources mentioned civilian casualties. A Facebook post by FSLA.Ovecs identified Russian strikes in the vicinity…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4342

Location

جدرايا, Jidraya, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes heavily bombed the village of Jdaria in Syria at 13:22 on January 21, 2020, killing at least two girls and injuring two other civilians. According to Al Jazeera News, quoting the Syrian Civil Defense, two girls were killed in Russian airstrikes on the village of Jdaria. The two girls, Aida al-Khalid and…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Water (Water tank), Residential, Vehicle (Motorcycle)
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

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4336

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al-Numan, according to local media. @ShahbaPress tweeted: "Civilians were injured after raids by Russian occupation planes on the southern city of Maarat al-Numan in the southern Idlib countryside and the town of Taftanaz in the northern countryside." Macro Media Center said that "five…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident