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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

5 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4417

Location

outskirts of Idlib near Qminas village, Idlib, Syria
أطراف مدينة إدلب قرب قرية قميناس
Three civilians were reported to be killed by an air raid upon the village of Quminas on the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th. Ahmed Sheikho, media director for the Syrian Civil Defense, told Smart News that “a Russian plane targeted two cow farms near the village of Quminas, killing three people”. A tweet from…

Summary

Published
5 February 2020
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Incident Date

5 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4418

Location

Andan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
Between two and three civilians were reported injured during alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 5th, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, Jirs TV, Masar Press and others tweeted that “Civilians were wounded by the bombing of the Russian occupation warplanes on the city of [Andan], north…

Summary

Published
5 February 2020
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Incident Date

5 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4419

Location

Jadraya, Idlib, Syria
جدرايا
Between four and six civilians, including up to four women and two children, were reported killed and six civilians were injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes on the village of Jadraya in the southwestern Idlib countryside on February 5, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, Shaam and @thiqanewsagency reported that four civilians were…

Summary

Published
5 February 2020
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Incident Date

5 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4420

Location

Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
تفتناز
Between one and two civilians, including a child, were reported killed and four civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz in the northeastern countryside of Idlib on February 5, 2020. The majority of sources reported that during…

Summary

Published
6 February 2020
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Incident Date

4 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4416

Location

Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
سرمين
A young man was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Sarmin, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020, according to SMART News Agency. SMART reported that "local sources and military observatories said that a civilian was killed and others were wounded as a result of missile strikes by Russian…

Summary

Published
4 February 2020
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Incident Date

4–5 February, 2020

Incident Code

RS4414

Location

Ainjara, Aleppo, Syria
عنجارة
One man his wife were killed and four children injured in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery strikes on the night of February 4th to February 5th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that "Mr. Ahmad Rostom was killed and his family - his wife and four children were injured…

Summary

Published
4 February 2020
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