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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4333

Location

Al Sa'adiya, Aleppo, Syria
السعدية
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
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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
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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
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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
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Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4323

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Shaam Network reported that “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes targeting the towns and villages of Mardikh, Khan Al-Sabl, Masran, Al-Ghadfa, Abu Juraif, Dadekh, Hantoutin, and Benin, causing a number of civilian casualties.” No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

Published
20 January 2020
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Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4329

Location

Al Muhandiseen countryside, Aleppo, Syria
ريف المهندسين
Muhammad Ahmad Taha Bazar was injured and a day later sucumbed to his injuries in the hospital, and three further civilians were injured in an attack carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, which targeted the Mohandessin countryside, south of Aleppo at 1 on January 20th, 2020. The Syrian Network for Human rights posted a…

Summary

Published
20 January 2020
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