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

1 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3518

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three medical staff members of the Nabd Al Hayat Hospital or Sham Hospital in the town of Hass were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on September 8th, 2018, according to local sources. @BonnieKipperman reported that the Sham hospital had completely run out of service due to barrel strikes by Syrian…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2018

Incident Code

RS3516

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 44 civilians, including five to 25 children, were reportedly killed in three consecutive airstrikes on the town of Urma Al Kubra. In total, sources recorded the names of 43 killed civilians. Multiple sources reported many injured, with estimates ranging between dozens to 70, with one earlier report…

Summary

Published
10 August 2018
Civilians reported killed
43–44
Civilians reported injured
6–70
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3513

Location

كويا, Kuya, Daraa, Syria
Between six and nine civilians, including women and children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on a camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the town of Kuya, Dara'a governorate, on July 30th, 2018, according to local sources. Dozens were wounded. Smart News Agency reported that, according to activists,…

Summary

Published
30 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3512

Location

الطريق بين عين ذكر و خنيزيرية في حوض اليرموك, the road between Ain Zakr and Ain Khanizyara in Al Yarmouk Basin, Daraa, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was killed and injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the road between Ain Zakr and Ain Khenizra, west of Dara'a, on July 23rd, 2018, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported "civilians killed and injured as a result of the Russian raids targeting the road between…

Summary

Published
23 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3510

Location

تسيل, Tasil, Daraa, Syria
Four civilians including a child and a woman were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Tasil in Dara'a on July 21st, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said " At least four civilians, including a girl, were killed as Syrian/Russian regime warplanes fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
21 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3511

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajara, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Shajara, Dara'a governorate, on July 21st, 2018, according to local sources. An officer with the Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office told Smart News that "one civilian was killed in Al Shajara village, which is controlled by the Islamic State." The…

Summary

Published
21 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident