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

RS4344

Location

Irhab, Aleppo, Syria
A child was killed and others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Irhab, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources. Activists told SMART News Agency that a child was killed by bombing by Russian warplanes that targeted the village. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria identified the victim…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
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

RS4332

Location

Jazraya, Aleppo, Syria
Two girls were killed and two people were injured in alleged Russian shelling of Jazraya village on January 21, 2020. Syria live ua was the only source to report on this incident and it is possibly a duplicate of incident R4078. No other information is available to Airwars at this time.

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

RS4345

Location

Kafar Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and others injured when alleged Russian or Syrian regime warplanes targeted KafarNaha village in Aleppo on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "Muhammad Bassout and Ahmad al Abd were killed as fixed wing- warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
21 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

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4333

Location

السعدية, Al Sa'adiya, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Sa'adiya, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020, according to SMART News Agency. Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4334

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that five children and their mother were injured as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Urm Al Kubra in Aleppo, on January 21st, 2020. Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported in the outcome of the bombing that hit Aleppo Governorate on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020, “12:18 pm, a Russian raid targets…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4340

Location

شنطرة, Bshantra, Aleppo, Syria
At least one child was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Bashnarta, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that a russian raid targeted the village at 12:42 PM, injuring the child Khaled Al Raslan. The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo stated…

Summary

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