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

3 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4413

Location

قميناس, Qmenas, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a journalist, was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Qmenas on February 3, 2020. A tweet from @LWMiMxsIhhMDCwA reported that "Syria TV correspondent Mustafa Al-Khalaf was injured, while covering the bombing of the regime's militias on the village of Qmenas". Syrian Network for Human Rights added that he was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2–3 February, 2020

Incident Code

RS4403

Location

أرناز, Arnaz, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, a child, was reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on the village of Arnaz in the western countryside of Aleppo on February 2-3, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, SCD Aleppo and Eyad.alasmar444 stated on February 2 that a child was injured as a result of an aerial bombardment…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4397

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns , Aleppo, Syria
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
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

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4398

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians were reported killed and up to ten injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, on February 2nd, 2020. Among other sources, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) identified the civilians who were killed by the attack as Hamzah Mustafa al Najib, Abdul Salam Al Ghdab and Essam Abdel-Latif.…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4399

Location

الاتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4400

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident