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

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4389

Location

Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Two civilians were reported killed and another injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on a market in Saraqib city center, or on displaced people in the outskirts of Saraqib on January 29th, 2020 according to local sources. On January 29th, 2020, Edlib Media Center reported "A martyr and several wounded people,…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
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Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4390

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
اريحا
In a massive incident, up to 14 civilians including up to four children, six women and a health worker were reported killed and between 35 and 71 also including children, women and health personnel injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, Syria in the night between January 29th and…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
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Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4387

Location

Several towns, Aleppo, Syria
بلدات متعددة
Shaam Network reported that on January 29th, 2020, "The Assad and Russian warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes, most of which targeted the areas of clashes and the towns of Al-Abzimu, Al-Kamari and Jazaria, causing civilian casualties, with thousands of people still being displaced from the targeted areas." No further details are available about that.

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
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Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4388

Location

Kafarlata, Idlib, Syria
كفرلاتة
Up to 19 civilians, including at least four children and two women, were killed and more than 20 civilians reported injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Lata on January 29th, 2020, according to local sources. The initial death toll was put at five killed civilians by the Syrian…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
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Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4380

Location

Ainjara, Aleppo, Syria
عنجارة
One girl died and her mother and up to four siblings were wounded in alleged Russia or regime airstrikes on Ainjara village, according to local media. All but one source (the Step News Agency) blamed solely Russia for the strikes and associated civilian harm. The Smart News Agency reported: "A girl was killed and others,…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4378

Location

Sarja, Idlib, Syria
سرجة
A single source, Syrialiveua, reported that four civilians were killed in "raids" on Sarja. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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