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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4308

Location

Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
On January 15th, 2020 several civilians were wounded in Maarat Numan following an alleged Russian bombing raid. Shaam News reported only that many civilians were wounded in the bombing raid but did not announce any deaths or a specific number of wounded. Local sources detailed the target as a residential neighborhood without military significance. AlarabyTV…

Summary

Published
15 January 2020
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Incident Date

15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4309

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
Seven civilians, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources. Civilian homes and shops were severely damaged. @SyrianCoalition tweeted that Russia and the Assad regime did not abide by the…

Summary

Published
15 January 2020
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Incident Date

15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4310

Location

Local market, Idlib, Syria
السوق الشعبي
Local sources reported that between seven and 22 civilians including a child and a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) were killed, and between 50 and 80 were injured, with most of them in critical conditions, when allegedly Russian forces or Syrian regime forces allegedly targeted with airstrikes the busy local market (Souq…

Summary

Published
15 January 2020
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Incident Date

15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4313

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
According to Shaam Network, Russian and Syrian regime forces targeted many towns in Idlib with airstrikes, injuring civilians. The news read: "The raids also led to the fall of many wounded people in the cities of Ma`rat al-Nu`man, Ariha, and Kafr Nabl, and the towns and villages of Talatah, al-Barah, Ma`saran, al-Hartamiyah, al-Ghadfa, Shanan, Abu Jarif,…

Summary

Published
15 January 2020
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Incident Date

11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4307

Location

Binnish, Idlib, Syria
بنش
Between four and eight civilians, including up to four women and three children, were killed and 20 others were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on a popular market in Binnish on January 11, 2020. According to a tweet by @Homs19850111, 4 women and 3 children were killed and others were wounded as a…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
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Incident Date

11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4306

Location

Al Arbaeen street, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
شارع الأربعين
On January 11th 2020, at least seven civilians were killed and as many as forty wounded by alleged Russian or regime air strikes upon Al Arbaeen Street in Idlib City. Many women and children were among the dead and wounded. The numbers of dead and wounded varied between sources. Initial local reports stated that seven…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
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