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

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4385

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4380

Location

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4378

Location

سرج,, Sarja, Aleppo, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4372

Location

شنان, Shannan, Idlib, Syria
Two men were killed and others injured following alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the village of Shannan, Idlib governorate, on January 27th, 2020, according to local media reports. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that "Wael al Jisr and Mustafa al Deeb were killed as fixed-wing warplanes fired…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4373

Location

مرديخ, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
A child and her mother were killed and another child was wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike in the village of Mardikh, Idlib governorate on January 27th, 2020, according to local media. SN4HR reported: "Mrs. Fteim Mahmoud a Shbib was killed along with her girl as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4374

Location

سراقب,, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One man was killed and three civilians, including a girl, were injured after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate on January 27th, 2020, according to local media. The Palestine News Network reported: "Russian warplanes raided residential neighborhoods in the city of Saraqib, using high-explosive missiles,…

Summary

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