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

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4401

Location

سرمين, Sarmin , Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4402

Location

المسطومة, Al Mastouma, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians were reported killed and between two and three civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrike or artillery shelling on the outskirts of the town of Al Mastouma in the southern countryside of Idlib on February 2nd, 2020. More specifically, Step News Agency and an Al-Jisr correspondent stated that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4395

Location

الباب, Al Bab , Aleppo, Syria
One man was reportedly killed and at least six civilians had been reportedly injured in an alleged Syrian regime artillery attack on Al Bab, Aleppo, on February 1st, 2020. While most sources only reported that six civilians had been injured, EMC reported that the attack also killed one man. According to Baladi News, the civilians were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2020

Incident Code

RS4396

Location

النباريز,, Al Nabariz, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed and up to 17 injured in a suspected Russian air or artillery strike on the village of Al Nabariz in southern Aleppo on February 1st, 2020. Mohammed Hassan Al-Jassem, aged 22 was identified as the deceased by several local sources and Madin Al-Hussein, aged 33, was reportedly injured. Some sources, such…

Summary

Published
1 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4394

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
A Syria Civil Defense center in Saraqib, Idlib in Syria was put out of service allegedly because of Russian forces or Syrian regime  airstrikes that targeted it, injuring up to seven volunteers on January 31st, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that "fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired…

Summary

Published
31 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4392

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Aleppo, Syria
Shaam Network reported that "Russian and Assad warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes targeting the areas of Ariha, Jisr al-Shughur, Saraqib, Kafrbikh, Ahsim and Nayrab in Idlib, Syria, on January 30th, 2020, causing civilian casualties." No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

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