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

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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Incident Date

25 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4493

Location

Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, Syria
معرة مصرين
Up to 12 civilians, including between three and six children, were killed and up to 62 civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib governorate, on February 25th, 2020, according to local sources. Whereas Shabha Press initially put the death toll at four killed civilians, they…

Summary

Published
25 February 2020
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Incident Date

24 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4485

Location

Kafar Nuran, Aleppo, Syria
كفرنوران
According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Subhi Abdul Jabbar al Selea, from Taftanaz town in the northern suburbs of Idlib governorate, died on February 24th, due to wounds sustained earlier as Syrian- Russian alliance fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on Kafr Noran village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate." No further details…

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
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Incident Date

24 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4487

Location

Kawkabah, Idlib, Syria
كوكبة
Between two and three civilians were reported killed and an unknown number of civilians sustained injuries during alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Kokbeh in the southern countryside of Idlib on February 24, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, Baladi Network tweeted that civilians died and were wounded in Russian airstrikes on the village of Kawkabah,…

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
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Incident Date

24 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4486

Location

Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria
الفطيرة
Between two and three civilians, including two men, were reported killed and up to four civilians sustained injuries during an alleged Russian or Regime airstrike on the town of Al Fatira in the southern countryside of Idlib on February 24, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, @IdlibPlus and Bsklaa16 said that “civilians were wounded and trapped under…

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
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Incident Date

24 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4484

Location

Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria on February 24th, 2020, according to local sources. Step Agency reported that "A civilian was killed and others wounded by a Russian airstrike on the city of Kafr Nabl in the southern Idlib countryside."

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
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