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

15 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4313

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4307

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4306

Location

شارع الأربعين, Al Arbaeen street, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
39–40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4305

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
Up to 10 civilians, including four children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Sarmin, Idlib governorate, on January 11th, 2020, according to local sources. Initial local sources reported many wounded civilians but no deaths. There were no names of the wounded immediately released and the numbers of wounded…

Summary

Published
11 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4302

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
In a major incident, 14 civilians including children and women were reported killed and between 23 and 30 injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the western neighborhood of Ariha city in Idlib, Syria on January 5th, 2020. Macro Media Center (MMC) reported that airstrikes were launched by a SU-24 warplane…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Religious (Mosque), Residential, Education
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
23–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4301

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians, including a woman, were reported as killed and up to seven others, including two children and a woman, were wounded by Russian or regime forces in Saraqib on January 5th, 2020. Alarby News and the Idlib Civil Defense Media Center reported that seven civilians, including two children, were wounded in…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident