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 Date Publication Date

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

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

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

25 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4494

Location

Idlib Central Hospital, Idlib, Syria
مشفى إدلب المركزي
At least four civilians, healthcare workers, were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Idlib Central Hospital on February 25, 2020. According to Shaam News, regime warplanes struck Idlib Central Hospital with missiles, causing damage to the facilities and injuries among its staff. A tweet from @azrak_moahmad added that the bombing of the hospital…

Summary

Published
25 February 2020
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Incident Date

25 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4490

Location

Binnish, Idlib, Syria
بنش
Four civilians from the same family, two children and two women, were reported killed, and 12 others, including up to seven women and two children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Binnish in Idlib, Syria on February 25th, 2020. Edlib Media Center said the regime attacked Binnish…

Summary

Published
25 February 2020
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Incident Date

25 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4492

Location

Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
كنصفرة
Four civilians were killed and one wounded in the town of Kansfara following an airstrike by warplanes from the Assad regime on Tuesday, February 25th. Shahba Press was the first to tweet about the assault upon Kansafra.  HalabTV later tweeted that four civilians were killed, and a tweet from @civil_hama, Syrian Civil Defense, noted that…

Summary

Published
25 February 2020
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