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

11 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4305

Location

Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
سرمين
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
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Incident Date

5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4303

Location

Al Zurba, Aleppo, Syria
الزربة
At least one civilian was reported wounded as a result of Russian forces attack with rockets, or Syrian regime forces attack with machine guns on Al Zurba town in Aleppo, Syria, on January 5th, 2020, according to local sources. The Zurba Media office announced that Mahmoud Abdel Fattah Hammoud was wounded. The individual was an…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
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Incident Date

5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4301

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
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
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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
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Incident Date

5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4304

Location

Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
دير الشرقي
Civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib governorate, on January 5th, 2020. Various local sources, including @MolhamKaied, reported that "injuries" resulted from airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi but did not mention how many were injured. The majority of sources attributed airstrikes and the resulting injuries in…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
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Incident Date

5 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4300

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Civilians were reported wounded in alleged shelling by Russian and Syrian regime aircraft on several towns in Idlib on January 5th, 2020, as reported by Shaam News Network. Shaam reported that the following cities and towns were targeted: Maarat Al Nu'man, Al Ghadfa, Ma'saran, Ma'arshamin, Benin, Marashamsha, Ma'shurin, Tilmans, Hantoutin, Deir Sunbul, Ihsim, Kafroumah, Khan Al…

Summary

Published
5 January 2020
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