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

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4347

Location

ريف المهندسين الأول, Al Muhandiseen first countryside, Aleppo, Syria
A man was killed and civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Muhandiseen first countryside on January 21, 2020. A tweet from @almohrarmedia2 reported that civilians were wounded in Russian airstrikes on Al Muhandiseen first countryside without specifying how many were injured. However, @fawaz_jwaid tweeted that there was material damage but "no injuries". @baladinetwork…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
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

RS4337

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz on January 21, 2020. Shahba Press reported: "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". No other…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4338

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and four to six others were injured (two children and two women) in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with rockets on Al Bara in Idlib on January 21st, 2020. SMART said warplanes fired vacuum missiles. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “At least two civilians were killed…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4339

Location

معردبسة, Ma’ar Dibsa, Idlib, Syria
Between four and 11 civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in  alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Ma’ar Dibsa, according to local media. There were also reports that between five and nine combatants died. Live ua reported: “Four civilians were killed and others wounded as a result of air strikes on the…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
5–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4343

Location

Kafar Ta’al, Aleppo, Syria
Nine civilians, including a whole family of six children and their parents, in addition to another man, were reported killed, and nine others reported injured when Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted Kafr Ta’al village in Western Aleppo countryside on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources. One of the victims was identified as Mustafa…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4331

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported “Russian and Assad warships and helicopters launched violent air strikes targeting the cities, towns, and villages of Ma`rat al-Nu`man, Ma`sarān, Deir Sunbul, Marshmarin, Talmans, al-Barah, Babila, Khan al-Sabil”. It added that there were “many wounded”.No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident