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 DatePublication Date

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

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

RS4495

Location

أبلين, Ableen, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ableen, Idlib governorate, on February 26th, 2020, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam reported that "Russian and Assad's air forces launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and missile shelling, which led to the fall of four martyrs in the village…

Summary

Published
26 February 2020
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4499

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several cities, towns and villages in Idlib governorate on February 26th, 2020, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam reported that "Russian and Assad's air forces launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and missile shelling" which led to "a number of…

Summary

Published
26 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4500

Location

قرية بيلون في جبل الزاويه, Billion village in Jabal Al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria
Four victims from the same family were killed by alleged Syrian regime or Russian planes as an airstrike hit the town of Balion in Syria on February 26th, 2020. Information about the attack emerged on February 28th. Numerous tweets reported the death of the four victims, including @syr_television, thethr Zaitun Agency, and Smart News put…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4496

Location

احسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria
Russian warplanes struck the town of Ihsem in the southern suburbs of Idlib on February 26th, 2020 killing one civilian. The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the man as Ahmad Yasin Hammoudi, and this was also reported by local sources, including a tweet from @Jabliat414.  Other local sources reported on the use of machine guns…

Summary

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