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

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4456

Location

الشيخ عقيل, Al Sheikh Akil, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, civilians were killed when Russian or Syrian regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Al Sheikh Akil 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.…

Summary

Published
14 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4455

Location

باشمرا, Bashambra, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, civilians were killed when Russian or Syrian regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Bashambra on February 14th 2020, as well as other areas close by incluing the villages of Tamura 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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4454

Location

دارة عزة, Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4453

Location

الطامورة, Al Tamoura, Aleppo, Syria
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
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

14 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4452

Location

معارة الاتارب, Ma`art Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13–14 February, 2020

Incident Code

RS4450

Location

قبتان الجبل, Qubtan Al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident