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

4–5 February, 2020

Incident Code

RS4414

Location

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4415

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
On February 4th, 2020 media activist Amjad Aktalati (“Amjad Abu Al-Joud”) and another civilians were killed in the town of Ariha, the victims of an aerial bombardment alleged to be carried out by Russia. HalabToday TV tweeted that Ariha was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike, a claim also stated by a tweet from @saveIdlib.…

Summary

Published
4 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4416

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4404

Location

جمعية الارمن في بلدة بالا, Jam’iyet Al Arman area, Bala, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians, a woman and two children, were killed and two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Jam’iyet Al Arman area in the town of Bala, Aleppo governorate, on February 3rd, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo reported that Mrs. Zahra Yahya Al-Hassan (35)…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4405

Location

Al Atareb, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria
As many as ten civilians, including several children, were wounded following alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes against residential neighbourhoods in the town of Al Atareb, Syria on February 3rd 2020, according to local media reports. Several sources put the number of civilians injured at nine. One source, @Step_Agency, said ten civilians had been injured,…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4406

Location

جمعية الرحال, Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo, Syria
Up to nine civilians from one family were killed and others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jam’iyet Al Rahhal, Aleppo in Syria on February 3rd 2020, local media reported. The victims were reportedly fleeing another area when their vehicle was targeted. The lowest number of civilians reported killed was six, however…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident