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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

19 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4473

Location

Baidar Shamsu, Idlib, Syria
بيدر شمسو
A civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Baidar Shamsu, Idlib governorate, on February 19th, 2020, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria. The LCCSy reported that a "Russian raid targeting the outskirts of Baidar Shamsu village resulted in an injury". The incident occurred at 5:56 PM. Airwars was…

Summary

Published
19 February 2020
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Incident Date

19 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4476

Location

Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria
دارة عزة
Alleged Russian warplanes struck the village of Daret Izza on February 19th, resulting in the death of one civilian, the wounding of two others, and material damage. Tweets from @Tania_Tania_C and @NagiNajjar both noted only material damage resulted from the bombing and did not report any deaths. Enabbaldi.net and Smart News later noted that one…

Summary

Published
19 February 2020
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Incident Date

18 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4472

Location

Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria
دار عزة
One civilian was reported killed and up to five others were injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Dar Eza in Aleppo, Syria on February 18th, 2020 according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that attack targeted a vegetables market in the city, which led…

Summary

Published
18 February 2020
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Incident Date

18 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4470

Location

Maaret al-Nassan, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعسان
One civilian was reported killed and several others were wounded in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Maaret al-Nassan in Idlib on February 18th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "Syrian- Russian alliance killed a pharmacist in Maaret al-Nassan village in Idlib, on Feb 18th,…

Summary

Published
18 February 2020
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Incident Date

18 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4471

Location

Tarmaneen, Idlib, Syria
ترمانين
Up to four civilians were reported killed and up to nine others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Termaneen in Idlib, Syria on February 18th, 2020, according to local sources. Step Agency reported that "Russian warplanes targeted the vicinity of the Turkish observation point in the town of Termaneen, north of Idlib, with vacuum…

Summary

Published
18 February 2020
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Incident Date

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4466

Location

Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria
الأبزمو
One child was killed alongside their mother and four others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Abzmo, Aleppo governorate, on February 17th, 2020, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported that "a mother and her child were martyred due to the targeting of the Russian occupation air…

Summary

Published
17 February 2020
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