Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS3310

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R3121RS3327)

Between 16 and 25 civilians were killed and up to 200 were wounded in aerial and artillery strikes on residential neighbourhoods in the city of Zamalka, Eastern Ghouta. Several sources claimed Russian forces were responsible for the attack, whereas others blamed the Assad regime.

Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, put the initial death count at 16. Siege Watch later wrote on Twitter that “estimated 25 civilians killed in at least 22 airstrikes, 65 barrel bombs and over 500 artillery and mortar rounds. Several hundred wounded.” HalabTodayTV mentioned 20 deadly civilian casualties and spoke of 17 airstrikes and 63 barrel bombs.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the names of three men and one woman who were killed in the airstrikes.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that “17 civilians were killed in an initial toll and more than 90 injured in Russian airstrikes on the town of Zamalka.” @SaifAtrash reported “several hundred” wounded. @ldqCeSzzkM8wJjQ stated that “more than 200” civilians were injured.

Arabi21 reported that activists have said that napalm and phosphorus bombs were used in the raids. The Syrian Civil Defence came to the same conclusion.

According to @N_workMediaHoms “46 airstrikes targeted residential neighborhoods in Zamalka city from the early morning hours until this moment, coinciding with helicopters throwing more than 30 barrels of explosives on the city of Erbeen and several air raids from warplanes.”

Zamanalwsl reported the Syrian regime had been responsible for the airstrikes, whereas the Local Coordination of Committees of Syria blamed Russian forces. Others, such as Erem News, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Victims

Individuals

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Civilians reported killed
16–25
1 Woman, 3 Men
Civilians reported injured
90–200

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media from Sources (10)