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

27 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4375

Location

الزربة, Al Zorba, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27–28 January, 2020

Incident Code

RS4376

Location

في الطريق إلى سرجة, on the way to Sarja, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
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

RS4377

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
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
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4367

Location

بزابور, Bazabour, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, including a woman and her husband, were killed and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bazabour in Idlib Governorate, Syria on January 26 th 2020. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said “Syrian regime killed a man & his wife in Bazabour village in Idlib:…

Summary

Published
26 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4368

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a young man, was killed and as many as four civilians, including a child, were wounded when Russian or Syrian regime warplanes bombed the city of Saraqib, Idlib Governorate, on January 26 th 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) said that “Amer al Khader was killed as…

Summary

Published
26 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4369

Location

مرديخ, Mardiekh, Idlib, Syria
One man was killed and a woman was injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Mardiekh, Idlib Governorate, on January 26th, 2020, according to local media. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported: "16:02 A regime's Sukhoi 22 warplane raid targets the outskirts of Mardikh village and resulted in…

Summary

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