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

15 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4461

Location

بلدات متعددة,, Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian warplanes launched intense and very violent air strikes, which were associated with heavy artillery and missile shelling targeting the vicinity of the city of Dara Azza and the cities and towns and villages of Andan, Atareb, Hurriyan, Kafr Hamra, Al Abzmu, Tadil, Kfartal, Kafr Amadah, Qadin, Ainjarah, Bastaroon, Sahar,…

Summary

Published
15 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4460

Location

بلدة السحارة,, Al Sahara Village, Aleppo, Syria
Four to five civilians died, including one girl, and one Syrian Civil Defence volunteer was wounded in an alleged Russian double airstrike on Al Sahara village, according to local media. The second strike happened as the volunteers were undergoing the rescue mission. The White Helmets reported: "Four people were killed and a civil defense volunteer…

Summary

Published
15 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4459

Location

قرب دار عزة,, Near Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that one civilian was killed and up to ten others were injured during Russian airstrikes in the village of Patron, near Darat Azza, Aleppo, on February 15th 2020. According to the White Helmets, "one person was killed and 10 others were wounded, as a result of four air strikes, that targeted civilian…

Summary

Published
15 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4462

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and up to four others injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling on Al Muthanna IDP camp in the east of Sarmada, Idlib in Syria. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "Syrian regime forces’ artillery fired shells on al Muthanna IDPs Camp, located in east of Sarmada city in…

Summary

Published
15 February 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Residential
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4451

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian Assad launched air strikes targeting the cities, towns, villages of Sarmin, Ariha, Nehalia, Senqul, and Qamenas. The Assad artillery shelled the cities and towns of Jisr Al-Shughur, Kafr Nubl, Ma`rat Masrin, Kafraya, Ain al-Asafir, and the camps of the town of Sarmada, which resulted in a number of civilian…

Summary

Published
14 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4457

Location

أورم الكبرى,, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, civilians were killed when Russian or Syrian regime attacked the 'vicinity of Urma Al Kubra' on February 14th 2020, as well as other areas close by incluing the villages of Tamura and Bashmara in the western countryside of Aleppo, Syria. It is not clear how many civilians were allegedly killed. The…

Summary

Published
14 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident