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

20 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3508

Location

الشجرة, Al-Shajara, Daraa, Syria
Up to 15 civilians were killed including women and children and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al-Shajara in Daraa on July 20th, 2018. Sanabka Ahrar reported that the area was the target of more than 40 raids with missiles and rockets what caused severe destruction to buildings. @samersamer694…

Summary

Published
20 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–15
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3509

Location

تسيل, Tasil, Daraa, Syria
Five civilians from the same family were reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces' airstrikes on Tasil in Dara'a on July 20th, 2018. @yaser_23001 tweeted "Five civilians from one family were killed due to an air strike on the town of Tasil in the western Dara'a countryside." Hamza.alshaheed page…

Summary

Published
20 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3504

Location

عين التينة, Ein al-Teena, Quneitra, Syria
At least eight civilians, including women and children, were reported killed and many others injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces attacked with airstrikes a school used as a shelter for IDPs in Ein al-Teena in Quneitra, Syria on July 17th, 2018. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said " At least eight civilians,…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–16
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3505

Location

العالية, A'liya, Daraa, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on A'liya in Quneitera, Syria on July 17th, 2018. Middle East Online (MEO) said "Another civilian was killed in Russian raids targeting the town of A'liya in the western countryside of Daraa at the administrative border with…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3506

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported that more than 19 people including women and children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Nawa in Dara'a governorate on July 17th, 2018. Local sources reported that the attacks on Nawa happened with dozens of raids with explosive barrels, cluster bombs and rocket attacks. For…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
12–20
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3507

Location

تسيل, Tasil, Daraa, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported killed and a number of others were wounded in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taseel in Dara'a on July 17th, 2018 according to local sources. @Step_Agency tweeted "Warplanes launched several airstrikes targeting the town of Taseel, which is under the control of the Islamic State, in…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident