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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4409

Location

Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
تفتناز
An undisclosed number of civilians were reported killed or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on February 3rd, 2020, according to SMART News. SMART reported that there were "victims of the airstrikes from Russian warplanes on the town of Taftanaz", but did not specify the number…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
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Incident Date

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4407

Location

Ma’aret Al Na’ssan, Aleppo, Syria
معارة النعسان
One civilian was injured and a fire broke out in a fuel refining station as the result of airstrikes on the town of Ma'arat Al Na'ssan in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 3rd, 2020, as reported by the Syrian Civil Defence. @NagiNajjar reported: "Russian warplanes launch missile strikes on the town of Maarat…

Summary

Published
3 February 2020
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Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4401

Location

Sarmin , Idlib, Syria
سرمين
Up to eight civilians all from one family were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian or regime strike on Sarmin, Idlib, on February 2nd 2020. A baby girl, only 40 days old, was killed according to many sources alongside up to seven members of her family, including her mother and brother. The family was reportedly…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
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Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4400

Location

Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Between one and six civilians were reportedly wounded in suspected Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, east of Aleppo, in the night of February 2nd, 2020. A number of sources, including @WZ4M93fVY0KeDJb, stated that six civilians had been injured. Among other sources, @jisrtv claimed instead that only one civilian had been injured. While Step Agency reported that…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
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Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4397

Location

Several towns , Aleppo, Syria
بلدات متعددة
A single source, Shaam News Network, reported civilian harm across a series of strikes in towns in Aleppo. The source alleged both Russia and the Syrian Regime responsible. According to the source, attacks took place on the towns "Darat Azza, Zorba, Zitan, Qanater, Kamari, Arnaz, Urm al-Kubra, Atarib, First Engineers Country, Maarat al-Atariq, Sheikh Ali,…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
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Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4399

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الاتارب
A 60-year-old woman was reportedly killed and an unspecified number of other civilians wounded in Al Atarib, Aleppo, following alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on her home in morning of February 2nd, 2020. A number of sources identified the victim as Fatimah Akoush. According to Zaman Al Wasl, she was 60 years old. @Razak0000 reported…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
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