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

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4386

Location

Al Bara, Idlib, Syria
البارة
One civilian male was wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike and/or artillery strike on Al Bara. Ariha Today reported that "at 10:52, a regime warplane targeted the area around the town of Al-Bara. At 11:18, a helicopter raid targeted the Al-Bara town, targeting a bakery and a mosque in the town, wounding a civilian man."…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4384

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
Between three and six civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Hass, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. According to a tweet from @JennRollins1002, three to six men were killed in the town of Hass by regime helicopters that dropped barrel bombs on the town. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4383

Location

Kafarlata, Idlib, Syria
كفرلاته
Two brothers were killed and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafarlata, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. Step Agency reported that "two civilians were killed and others wounded due to artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces targeting the village of Kafarlata…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4382

Location

Khan Al Subl, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
Two Syrian Civil Defence volunteers were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Khan Al Subl, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources. SMART News Agency reported that the Syrian regime and Russia carried out air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Idlib governorate,…

Summary

Published
28 January 2020
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Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4377

Location

Sarja, Idlib, Syria
سرجة
Four civilians, including a man and his two sons, were killed and up to three civilians were injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Sarja, Idlib governorate on January 27th, 2020, according to local media reports. Step News said: "The reporter of the Step News Agency in Idlib, Hassan Al-Muhammad,…

Summary

Published
27 January 2020
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Incident Date

27–28 January, 2020

Incident Code

RS4376

Location

Sarja, Idlib, Syria
سرجة
One member of the Syrian Civil Defense was killed, and two more injured, by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Sarja, Idlib governorate between January the 27th and 28th 2020, according to local media reports. The unit of volunteers was reportedly on its way to the aftermath of another bombing when…

Summary

Published
27 January 2020
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