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 DatePublication Date

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
View Incident

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
View Incident

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
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4446

Location

Kafr Amma, Aleppo, Syria
كفرعمة
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
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4445

Location

Abin Samaan, Aleppo, Syria
أبين سمعان
Three civilians were killed and six others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Abyan Samaan, Aleppo governorate, on February 12th, 2020, according to local sources. An employee for the media office of the Directorate for the Civil Defence, Hamza Al Youssef, told SMART News that the six injured civilians were taken…

Summary

Published
12 February 2020
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4447

Location

Al-Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الاتارب
Two civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the town of Al Atarib, Aleppo governorate, on February 12th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that the artillery strikes led to two injured people, who were then treated by SCD teams in a hospital.…

Summary

Published
12 February 2020
View Incident