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

3 January 2022

Incident Code

RS4687

Location

بين أرمناز و كفرتخاريم, between Armanaz and Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
Between two and five civilians, including a woman and up to three children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes between the town of Armanaz and the city of Kafr Takharim on January 3, 2022. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, a woman and her child were injured when Russian warplanes bombed two poultry farms on…

Summary

Published
3 January 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 January 2022

Incident Code

RS4686

Location

محطة العرشاني لضخ المياه, Al Arshabi water station, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2022

Incident Code

RS4685

Location

النهر الأبيض, Al Naher Al Abyad, Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4684

Location

كفردريان, Kafr Dariyan, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4683

Location

معربليت, Marblet, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2021

Incident Code

RS4682

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident