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

16 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3503

Location

عقربا, A’kraba, Daraa, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on A’kraba, Dara'a governorate on July 16th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured. According to the Smart News Agency, “activists said three civilians were killed and others injured in an airstrike with rockets likely to be on the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3501

Location

غرز, Gharaz, Daraa, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes in Gharaz, Dara'a governorate, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was wounded. Several sources, such as @Wesal_TV, reported that four civilians were killed and others were wounded by airstrikes targeting the Gharaz area, east of Dara'a. While most sources…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3502

Location

أم المياذن, Um Al Mayadhen, Daraa, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Al Mayadhen, Dara'a governorate, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of people was injured. @omar_hariri_dr wrote: "Two martyrs up to this moment and a large number of wounded by the Russian airstrikes on the town of Um Al…

Summary

Published
8 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3500

Location

درعا‎, Dara'a, Daraa, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on neighbourhoods in Dara'a city on July 5th, 2018, according to Step Agency. Step News reported that "Russian warplanes intensified raids since the morning on the liberated neighbourhoods of the city of Dar'aa and the towns of Naseeb and Um Al Mayathen in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3499

Location

نصيب, Nasib, Daraa, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Nasib, Dara'a governorate, on July 5th, 2018, according to Step Agency. Step News reported that “Russian warplanes intensified raids since the morning on the liberated neighbourhoods of the city of Dar’aa and the towns of Naseeb and Um Al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3497

Location

صيدا, Sayda, Daraa, Syria
Six civilians, including four children, of the same family, were reportedly killed in suspected Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sayda, Dara'a governorate, on July 5th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News reported that “more than 25 Russian airstrikes targeted the town on Thursday morning [July 5th]”, killing the family who was “displaced from…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident