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

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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Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4372

Location

Shannan, Idlib, Syria
شنان
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
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Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4373

Location

Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
مرديخ
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
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Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4374

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب,
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
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Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4375

Location

Al Zorba, Idlib, Syria
الزربة
One member of the Syrian Civil Defense was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Zorba, Idlib governorate, on January 27th, 2020, according to local media reports. Russian warplanes carried out strikes against the western outskirts of the town resulting in the injury of a civil defense volunteer, according…

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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