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

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4497

Location

Arinba, Idlib, Syria
أرنبة
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
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Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4498

Location

Kafar Awaid, Idlib, Syria
كفرعويد
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
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Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4495

Location

Ableen, Idlib, Syria
أبلين
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
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Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4499

Location

Several towns, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
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
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Incident Date

26 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4500

Location

Billion village in Jabal Al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria
قرية بيلون في جبل الزاويه
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
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Incident Date

25 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4491

Location

Al Bara’em School, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
مدرسة البراعم، مدينة ادلب
Up to seven civilians, including children, were reported killed, and 26 others, including six children, were injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Idlib city on February 25th, 2020, according to local sources. Air and artillery strikes targeted Al Qusoor neighbourhood, several schools and the industrial area of…

Summary

Published
25 February 2020
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