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 Date Publication Date

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

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4379

Location

Al Houta, Aleppo, Syria
الهوتة
On January 28th, 2020 the village of Al Houta, outside of Aleppo was struck by Russian warplanes, resulting in the wounding of numerous civilians. The Shahba Press reported that numerous civilians were wounded in airstrikes but did not release any names or specific numbers. A correspondent for Step Agency reported that warplanes struck Al Houta…

Summary

Published
29 January 2020
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Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4381

Location

Bashantra, Aleppo, Syria
بشنطرة
One person died and an unspecified number of others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Bashranta on January 28, 2020, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Center whether the person killed was a civilian. Both the Shahba Press and Zaiton Agency released reports of multiple civilians killed due…

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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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

RS4385

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Up to four civilians, including a child, were injured in several alleged Syrian regime and Russian airstrikes and/or artillery strikes on an international road near Saraqib, Idlib governorate on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that four civilians were injured in alleged Syrian regime airstrikes "targeting the international road near Saraqib…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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