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

19 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4475

Location

بسامس, Bsames, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was wounded in an alleged Russian bombing raid on the village of Bsames, Syria, on February 19th, 2020. A tweet by @oulaalassaad mentioned both the wounding of a civilian and the specific targeting of displaced people by Russian warplanes. However, @mhmdfaisel mentioned that “civilians” were injured without providing a number for…

Summary

Published
19 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4471

Location

ترمانين, Tarmaneen, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
4–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4472

Location

دار عزة, Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4470

Location

معرة النعسان, Maaret al-Nassan, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4465

Location

الاتارب, Al Atarib, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4469

Location

السحارة, Al Sahhara, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident