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

27 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4504

Location

جنوب مدينة ادلب, Idlib city (south), Idlib, Syria
The death of at least one child and the wounding of civilians was reported on February 27th, 2020 the result of an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on the outskirts of Idlib. The brothers were displaced from the city of Kafranbel and relocated to a rural area of Idlib. A post from Bsklaa16 noted that…

Summary

Published
27 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4503

Location

شلخ, Shalakh, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians, including up to four women and a child, were reported to have been killed and others were wounded by alleged Russian or regime air strikes in the village of Shalakh on February 27th, 2020. A tweet from @almo3tasem91 stated that five “martyrs, including four women and a child” were killed in…

Summary

Published
27 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4502

Location

طرنبة, Trunba, Idlib, Syria
In the village of Trunba, a civilian was killed on February 27, 2020 by alleged Russian warplanes, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The SNHR identified the victim as Hussein Ahmad Al-Hassan and posts from ibn Baladi and Nihad Al Assad referenced the “martyrdom” of Al-Hassan as a victim of increased airstrikes in…

Summary

Published
27 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4501

Location

قرية مشون, Mashoun village, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in the village of Mashoun on February 27 following a Russian raid. A correspondent for Halab Today noted that two people were injured in Mashoun in the Jabal Al-Zawiya area in southern Idlib. A tweet from @AleppoAMC also indicated that two civilians had been hurt. The wounded pair of civilians lived…

Summary

Published
27 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4498

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar Awaid, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in a bombing raid conducted at dawn targeting the village of Kafar Awaid on February 26th, 2020. Local accounts, including a tweet from @hayanhababa described Russian warplanes striking homes and civilian areas, resulting in the deaths of five people. @seerij80 added that the Russian…

Summary

Published
26 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4497

Location

أرنبة, Arinba, Idlib, Syria
On February 26th, four civilians were killed and others wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes in the village of Arinba in the western countryside outside of Idlib. The four victims were members of the same family and included a husband, wife, and two children. Local witnesses and sources, including a tweet from @mohmad_rasheed noted that the…

Summary

Published
26 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident