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
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Incident DatePublication Date

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

RS4325

Location

Kafar Ta'al , Aleppo, Syria
كفر تعال
Three children were killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Ta’al, Aleppo governorate, on January 20th, 2020, according to local sources. Seven civilians, including children, were reportedly wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the killing of three young girls. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that the…

Summary

Published
20 January 2020
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Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4326

Location

Al Jeneh , Aleppo, Syria
بلدة الجينة
Two or three civilians including a child were reported killed, and up to nine others also including two children and a woman were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Jeneh in Aleppo’s western countryside on January 20th, 2020 according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said the victims…

Summary

Published
20 January 2020
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Incident Date

20 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4327

Location

Kafar Nuran, Aleppo, Syria
كفرنوران
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
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Incident Date

18 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4319

Location

Al Muhandiseen countryside, Aleppo, Syria
ريف المهندسين
One civilian was reported killed, and two children and two women were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandiseen in Aleppo’s western countryside, Syria at 11:14 am on January 18th, 2020. Macro Media Center reported that vacuum missiles were used in the attack. Abdul Rahman Hilal Al-Halabi, aged 23, was killed in the…

Summary

Published
18 January 2020
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Incident Date

18 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4320

Location

Shelter for displaced people near Anjara, Aleppo, Syria
مركز ايواء النازحين قرب عنجارة
Four civilians from the same family including two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on a shelter for IDPs near Anjara in Aleppo countryside, Syria, on January 18th, 2020 according to a local source. SMART Agency reported that “Two children and their parents were killed on Friday-Saturday night, by Russian airstrikes targeting a shelter…

Summary

Published
18 January 2020
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