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

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

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4465

Location

Al Atarib, Idlib, Syria
الاتارب
One civilian was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib on February 12 2020, local media reported. According to the White Helmets, "one person was injured as a result of aerial bombing by two Russian warplanes in the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo. Our teams worked to check the area and provide…

Summary

Published
17 February 2020
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Incident Date

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4469

Location

Al Sahhara, Aleppo, Syria
السحارة
At least one civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on residential areas in Al Sahhara in Idlib, Syria on February 17th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "A person was injured as a preliminary result, as a result of Russian airstrikes that targeted residential neighborhoods in the…

Summary

Published
17 February 2020
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Incident Date

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4468

Location

Al Firdous and Al Kinana hospitals - Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria
مستشفيا الكنانة والفردوس - دار عزة
One civilian and a number of medical personnel were injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces allegedly targeted Al Kinana and Al Fardous hospitals in Dar Ezza in Aleppo with airstrikes on February 17th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that "fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian…

Summary

Published
17 February 2020
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Incident Date

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4467

Location

Al Dana, Idlib, Syria
الدانا
Up to three civilians were killed, including a woman and a child and an unknown number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian air or artillery strikes on the city of Al Dana, Idlib governorate, on February 17th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "Ahmad Abu…

Summary

Published
17 February 2020
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