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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4454

Location

Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria
دارة عزة
According to local sources an unspecified number of civilians were killed in an airstrike in Darat Azza in the western countryside of Aleppo, Syria, on February 14th 2020. The Shaam News Network reported: "The Russian and Assadian air forces launched air strikes targeting the towns of rural Aleppo, which led to the fall of five…

Summary

Published
14 February 2020
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Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4453

Location

Al Tamoura, Aleppo, Syria
الطامورة
According to local sources, civilians were killed when Russian or Syrian regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Tamoura on February 14th 2020, as well as other areas close by incluing the villages of Bashmara and Sheikh Aqil in the western countryside of Aleppo, Syria. It is not clear how many civilians were allegedly killed. The…

Summary

Published
14 February 2020
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Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4452

Location

Ma`art Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
معارة الاتارب
Up to eight civilians were killed including at least two children and a woman died and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Ma`art Al Atareb, according to local media and sources on February 14th 2020. The majority of sources indicated that five civilians were killed but Syriahr alleged…

Summary

Published
14 February 2020
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Incident Date

13–14 February, 2020

Incident Code

RS4450

Location

Qubtan Al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
قبتان الجبل
One woman was reported killed and eight others including five children injured, originally from Aleppo's southern countryside residing in Qabtan Al Jabal in Aleppo's western countryside when allegedly Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the town on the night between Feb 13th and 14th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported…

Summary

Published
13 February 2020
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Incident Date

13 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4449

Location

Vicinity of Idlib , Idlib, Syria
محيط مدينة ادلب
At least seven civilians, including five to seven children and two to five women, were reported injured as a result of alleged Russian forces airstrikes on the western side of the vicinity of Idlib, on February 13th, 2020 according to local sources. @IdlibPlus reported that "seven civilians, five children and two women were injured as a…

Summary

Published
13 February 2020
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Incident Date

13 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4448

Location

Several Towns, Aleppo, Syria
مناطق متعددة
Shaam Network reported that on Russian and Syrian regime forces targeted with airstrikes multiple towns and villages in Aleppo, injuring a number of civilians, on February 13th 2020. "Russian and Syrian regime air forces launched airstrikes amid artillery and missile shelling on the city of Atarib and the villages and towns of Kafrnaha, Kafaramah, Lirmoun,…

Summary

Published
13 February 2020
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