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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

19 March 2024

Incident Code

RS4894

Location

Zardana, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
زردنا
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
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Incident Date

29 February 2024

Incident Code

RS4893

Location

wood furniture manufacturing facility, west of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
ورشة لصناعة المفروشات
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
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Incident Date

20 February 2024

Incident Code

RS4892

Location

Afes, Idlib, Syria
آفس
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
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Incident Date

22 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4891

Location

residential buildings in Ariha, south Idlib, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
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
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Incident Date

16 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4890

Location

residential neighborhoods near mosques, a medical facility, and Al-Bazaar street in Ariha [Jericho], Idlib, Syria
ا حياء سكنية بالقرب من المساجد ومنشأة طبية وشارع البازار في أريحا
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
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Incident Date

7 January 2024

Incident Code

RS4888

Location

Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
مدينة ادلب
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
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