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

26 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4370

Location

مشفى الإيمان في قرية سرجة, Al Iman Hospital in Sarja village, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were injured, including one man, when Russian airstrikes targeted the Al-Iman Hospital in the village of Sarja, Idlib Governorate on January 26th, 2020, according to local media reports. The sources claim the bombing forced the closure of the hospital which served up to 50,000 civilians from the surrounding area. Sham News quoted the Free…

Summary

Published
26 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4371

Location

بينين, Benin, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and another one injured by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Benin, Idlib Governorate on January 26th, 2020, according to local media reports. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria posted: "18:18 A regime's warplane raid targeting the village of Benin. Resulting in the death of a…

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

Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4364

Location

كفر البطيخ, Kafar Albatiekh, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and others were wounded on January 25th 2020 due to an air raid by Assad regime or Russian warplanes against the village of Kafar Albatiekh. Media Idlib reported that one man was killed and homes were destroyed in Kafar Albatiekh. Civil Defense confirmed the death and the recovery of the body,…

Summary

Published
25 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

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4365

Location

بنين,, Benin, Aleppo, Syria
One man was wounded by an alleged Russian or regime airstrike against the village of Benin on January 25th 2020. Local residents reported that two air raids struck Benin. Baladi News reported that Benin was one village that was a target of over 200 airstrikes carried out by the Assad regime. Ariha Today noted one…

Summary

Published
25 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4360

Location

بلدات متعددة,, Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Shaam Network reported that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling that targeted the points of clashes, cities and towns, villages of Kafr Hamra, Al Atareb, Huritan, Khan Toman, Khan al-Asal, scientific research, Mansoura, Zorba, al-Kamari, Zaitan, al-Artyq, al-Barqum, the halls of Lermoun, Khalsa, al-Eis, al-Rashideen,…

Summary

Published
25 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4366

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched air strikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling on the points of clashes and cities and towns and villages of Ma`rat al-Numan, Kafr Nubil, Saraqib, Jericho, Kafr Nabikh, Benin, Tlemans, Marshourin, Farkia, Dana, Sarjah, Rami, Khan al-Sabil, Bazpur, Dercenbl, Balchun, Ghadfa,…

Summary

Published
25 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident