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

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4362

Location

Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
تل منس
Three or four Syrian Civil Defense ‘White Helmets’ volunteers were reported lightly wounded when Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted their center in Tal Menes in Idlib, Syria on January 25th, 2020, according to local sources. Syrian Civil Defense said in a FB post that “Saleh Ihrahim, Ihab Hashash, and Abdul Qadir Al-Sulaiman, three volunteers…

Summary

Published
25 January 2020
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Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4366

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
بلدات متعددة
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
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Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4360

Location

Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
بلدات متعددة,
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
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Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4365

Location

Benin, Aleppo, Syria
بنين,
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
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Incident Date

25 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4364

Location

Kafar Albatiekh, Idlib, Syria
كفر البطيخ
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
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Incident Date

23 January 2020

Incident Code

RS4359

Location

Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria
دار عزة
Six children and a man were reported injured as a result of the explosion of a cluster bomb remnant of an alleged previous Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Dar Ezza in Aleppo, Syria, on January 23rd, 2020. SMART said: “Six children and a young man were injured Thursday, as a result of the explosion…

Summary

Published
23 January 2020
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