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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

2 January 2022

Incident Code

RS4686

Location

Al Arshabi water station, Idlib, Syria
محطة العرشاني لضخ المياه
At least one civilian, an employee of a water station, was injured when Al-Arshani water station was bombed by alleged Russian forces on January 2, 2022. A tweet from @AlhasanMahar reported that Russian forces bombed Al-Arshani water station, which is "responsible for delivering water to about a quarter of a million civilians" in Idlib. @thiqanewsagency…

Summary

Published
2 January 2022
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Incident Date

1 January 2022

Incident Code

RS4685

Location

Al Naher Al Abyad, Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
النهر الأبيض
On New Years Day, three to four civilians, three children and a woman, were allegedly killed and ten others, including six children, were allegedly injured, by Russian air strikes just after midnight. The incident was reported to have taken place in the early hours of January 1st 2022 at 2.30am, in the Al-Nahr Al-Abyad area…

Summary

Published
1 January 2022
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Incident Date

31 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4684

Location

Kafr Dariyan, Idlib, Syria
كفردريان
At least two civilians were killed and five other civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm on the outskirts of Kafr Dariyan in the Idlib Governorate of Syria on December 31, 2021. According to Syria TV, two people were killed and others were injured in Russian airstrikes on a farm on the…

Summary

Published
31 December 2021
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Incident Date

27 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4682

Location

Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
معرة مصرين
At least three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian strikes on a poultry farm and IDP camp outside of Ma'arat Misrin on December 27, 2021. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that three workers, including a child, were injured in Russian airstrikes on a poultry farm outside of Ma'arat Misrin. @thiqanewsagency also tweeted…

Summary

Published
27 December 2021
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Incident Date

27 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4683

Location

Marblet, Idlib, Syria
معربليت
At least one civilian was killed and up to three others were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Marblet on December 27, 2021. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that one civilian was killed and three others were injured in alleged artillery shelling by the regime and Russia on Marblet and Mantaf without specifying…

Summary

Published
27 December 2021
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Incident Date

22 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4681

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
A child was killed and his father was injured when bomb remnants exploded in Kansafra on December 22, 2021. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, a young man was killed and his father was wounded when remnants of a cluster bomb exploded in Kansafra. The bomb was only identified as belonging to both the regime…

Summary

Published
22 December 2021
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