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

20 September 2020

Incident Code

RS4536

Location

عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the vicinity of Arab Sa’id village, west of Idlib on September 20th, 2020 at noon according to local sources and news agencies. Edlib Media center said that according to the civil defense one civilian was injured after “eight Russian su34 and su35…

Summary

Published
20 September 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2020

Incident Code

RS4534

Location

الأحراش المحيطة بمعرة مصرين وباتنتة, The bush near Ma’aret Misrin And Batinta, Idlib, Syria
One civilian has been injured as a result of multiple strikes by alleged Russian warplanes and missiles hitting the west of Maarat Misrin in Idlib on September 15th 2020. The civil defense team took the injured man to hospital to treat his injuries. Images of the location show civilians living in informal camps close to…

Summary

Published
15 September 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2020

Incident Code

RS4533

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed and up to 24 injured as a result of alleged Russian, Assadi and/or Iranian airstrikes on the town of Ariha on September 7th 2020. One civilian killed in the strike was named as Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan. @seerij80 reported that he had just graduated from Idlib University and Fajr…

Summary

Published
7 September 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 August 2020

Incident Code

RS4532

Location

الشيخ بحر, Sheikh Bahar, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were injured as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Bahar, Idlib on August 30th 2020. @baladinetwork reported: “#Baladi: Civilians were wounded by the bombing of Russian warplanes targeting a camp for the displaced near Sheikh Bahr in the northern countryside of Idlib #Syria”. The strike took place in the early hours of…

Summary

Published
30 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2020

Incident Code

RS4531

Location

البادية السورية, Syrian Badia, Homs, Syria
Civilians were reported killed and injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Syrian desert, or Al Badia Al Souria, on August 14th, 2020. @so_ria98 reported intense airstrikes by Russian warplanes in several areas of the desert and stated there were reports of civilian casualties, as well as the targeting of a car believed to be…

Summary

Published
14 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2020

Incident Code

RS4530

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians have been killed and up to seven injured due to multiple alleged airstrikes by Russian and Assadi forces on the town of Binnish, Idlib province on August 3rd 2020. Ariha post reported the names of three civilians from one family killed in the strike : Majed Ibn Jassim Al-Mohammed, Majid Ibn…

Summary

Published
3 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident