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

19 March 2024

Incident Code

RS4894

Location

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Injuries amongst civilians, including a minor injury of a woman, were reported as a result of an alleged artillery bombardment with the contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military and/or Iranian military and/or Turkish military in the city of Zardana in the northern Idlib countryside, Syria, at dawn of Tuesday,…

Summary

Published
19 March 2024
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 February 2024

Incident Code

RS4893

Location

ورشة لصناعة المفروشات, wood furniture manufacturing facility, west of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
In a wood furniture manufacturing facility located in the western outskirts of the Idlib area, Syria, at least one civilian was killed and five others, including a child and an elderly man, were injured in one of the four airstrikes reportedly perpetrated by Russian warplanes shortly before 9:03 AM on Thursday, February 29th, 2024. The…

Summary

Published
29 February 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Warehouse (Consumer Goods), Vehicle (Truck, Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2024

Incident Code

RS4892

Location

آفس, Afes, east of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
During the evening of Tuesday, February 20, 2024, an artillery strike with contested responsibility allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military and/or Iranian-backed militant groups in the town of Afes in eastern Idlib countryside, Syria, killed two adult sisters and injured their elderly mother. According to journalist Ahmed Shibli (@Ahmad_1alshble), the area…

Summary

Published
30 December 2024
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential (House)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4891

Location

اريحا, residential buildings in Ariha, south Idlib, Idlib, Syria
At least six civilians, including a woman and four children, were injured in a strike with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military and/or the Iranian military on the city of Ariha, south of Idlib, Syria shortly before 12:56 PM on Monday, January 22, 2024. The Syrian Civil Defense (also…

Summary

Published
22 January 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Religious (Mosque), Residential (Apartment Building), Commerce (Market, Bakery), Education
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4890

Location

ا حياء سكنية بالقرب من المساجد ومنشأة طبية وشارع البازار في أريحا, residential neighborhoods near mosques, a medical facility, and Al-Bazaar street in Ariha [Jericho], Idlib, Syria
During the evening of Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, at least two identified male civilians were killed and at least seven and up to eight civilians were injured, including two girls and a woman. The casualties were caused by an alleged artillery and/or airstrike by the Syrian regime and/or the Russian military and/or the Iranian military…

Summary

Published
16 January 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4888

Location

مدينة ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
During the evening of Sunday, 7th January 2024, missile strikes with the use of phosphorus bombs with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by Russian forces and/or Syrian regime and/or Iranian military on residential neighbourhoods in Idlib City, Idlib, injured up to four civilians, including a girl. Adnan Al-Ashqar posted on Facebook that three civilians were injured…

Summary

Published
7 January 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car), Residential
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident