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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

21 February 2022

Incident Code

RS4693

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria
One girl was injured when an unexploded ordnance from a previous bombing by Russian or regime forces exploded in Darkoush on February 21, 2022. Syrian Civil Defense reported that a girl was injured when an unexploded ordnance exploded in her home after she was collecting firewood with her family in the outskirts of Darkoush. White…

Summary

Published
21 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2022

Incident Code

RS4692

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Three children were injured by an unexploded ordinance belonging to Russian and/or Syrian regime forces on February 21, 2022. According to Baladi News, three children were seriously injured when an unexploded ordnance from a previous bombing by the Syrian regime and Russian forces exploded in the city of Jisr Al Shughur. All other sources reported…

Summary

Published
21 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2022

Incident Code

RS4691

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were injured, with one reportedly dying of their injuries, when an unexploded cluster bomb from a previous bombing by the regime or Russian forces exploded in the town of Tadef, Syria, on February 20, 2022. According to a tweet from @Almohrar1, two children were injured, one of whom had his hand amputated, due…

Summary

Published
20 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2022

Incident Code

RS4690

Location

سوق المحروقات بين بلدتي ترمانين والدانا, the fuel market between Tarmanin An Al Dana towns, Idlib, Syria
Between three and four civilians were killed and up to five others were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on February 16, 2022. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, four civilians were killed and two others were injured in artillery shelling of a fuel market and the outskirts of the widow camp near…

Summary

Published
16 February 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2022

Incident Code

RS4689

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret al Nassan, Idlib, Syria
According to local sources, a Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling killed five to six civilians from the same family and injured two to seven civilians including one to two children and one woman.  Among those killed were reportedly two to three children, two women and two men.  The incident happend on February 12th 2022…

Summary

Published
12 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 January 2022

Incident Code

RS4688

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians, a woman and her child, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Kansafra on January 8, 2022. A tweet from @ShahbaPress reported that a child was injured in artillery shelling by the regime forces on the town on Kansafra. However, Macro Media Center identified "civilians, most…

Summary

Published
8 January 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident