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

RS4335

Location

محيط الفوج 46, vicinity of Al fouj 46, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, a child, was reported killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the vicinity of the 46th Regiment in Aleppo, Syria on January 21st, 2020. Zaiton Mag and @thawrat111 reported that one civilian was killed in the vicinity of the 46th regiment, with @baladinetwork identifying this one civilian as being a child…

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

RS4346

Location

Kafar Nuran, Aleppo, Syria
At least nine civilians, among which between three and six children, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafar Nuran, Aleppo governorate, on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources. Between 14 and 42 civilians, including women and children, were reported wounded. The Syrian Civil Defence initially put the death toll…

Summary

Published
21 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
14–42
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4341

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were reported killed and up to four other civilians, including one to two children and one to two women, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taqad in Aleppo, Syria on January 21st, 2020, according to local sources. Syrian Civil Defense said the two women believed to be injured…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4327

Location

كفرنوران, Kafar Nuran, Aleppo, Syria
Between three to five civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Nouran village in the western countryside of Aleppo, on January 20th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo said that “Five civilians were wounded today [Jan 20th] in the  Kafar Nuran village, west of Aleppo, after an…

Summary

Published
20 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4321

Location

الكماري, Al Kamari, Aleppo, Syria
Ghassan Mohsen Al-Dandal was injured as a result of an alleged Russian attack targeting Al Kamari at 11.23am on January 20th, 2020. @so_ria98 tweeted that “Civilian casualties were reported by Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Kamari in the southern countryside of Aleppo.” Mohammad Alhasuain reported on the alleged incident asserting the injury of…

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

Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4328

Location

ميزناز, Miznaz, Aleppo, Syria
A girl and two other civilians were injured in an alleged airstrike by the Russian Armed Forces targeting the city of Miznaz, in the western countryside of Aleppo, at 12:46 pm on January 20th, 2020. Our Syria reported on the incident and stated: “Reports of civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of the Russian…

Summary

Published
20 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident