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

24 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4484

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4488

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a young man, was reported killed and five civilians reportedly sustained injuries during alleged Russian or Regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on the vicinity of the town of Al Bara in the southern countryside of Idlib on February 24, 2020. According to Syria Violence Monitoring and KMC, Russian warplanes bombed the road between…

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4483

Location

كصنفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
Between three and five people were reported injured as a result of alleged Russian and/or Regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on the vicinity of the town of Kansafra in the southern countryside of Idlib on February 23, 2020. With regards to civilian harm, Smart News said that “three people were wounded as a result of…

Summary

Published
23 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4482

Location

Abdita, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a man, was reported killed as the result of alleged Russian and/or Regime airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on the village of Abdita in the southern Idlib countryside in the afternoon of Sunday, February 23, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, Bsklaa16, among others, reported that Marei al-Asaad Abu Ahmed, a man from the village of…

Summary

Published
23 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

23 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4481

Location

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and at least one civilian, a young man, sustained injuries after alleged Syrian, Russian and/or Iranian airstrikes or artillery shelling on the village of Tarmala in Jabal Shahshabo in the southern Idlib countryside on February 23, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, the Syrian Civil Defence - Southern Director reported that they…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4480

Location

جوزف, Jouseph, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a child, was reported killed and one to two civilians, possibly including a girl and a woman, were reported injured during an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrike on the village of Jouseph in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib on February 22, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, more than 10 sources reported that a girl…

Summary

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