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 DatePublication Date

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

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

13 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4448

Location

مناطق متعددة, Several Towns, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4449

Location

محيط مدينة ادلب, Vicinity of Idlib , Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
7–12
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

Incident Date

12 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4446

Location

كفرعمة, Kafr Amma, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians, including a child, were killed and up to five others, including three children were injured as the result of Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafr Amma, Aleppo governorate, on February 12th, 2020, as reported by local sources. SCD Aleppo wrote that "four civilians were killed and three others wounded due…

Summary

Published
12 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident