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

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3498

Location

أم المياذن, Um Al Mayadhen, Daraa, Syria
Up to ten civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Um Al Mayadhen on July 5th, 2018, according to sources on the ground. @Step_Agency reported that "eight people, including a member of the Civil Defense, were killed as a result of the aerial bombardment targeting the town of Um Al Mayadhen, east of…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3496

Location

أرمناز, Armanaz, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that one child was killed, and another injured as a result of the explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb in Armanaz, northwest Idlib on July 3rd, 2018. The munitions are suspected to be the remnants of Russian or Syrian airstrikes. Smart News stated that “local activists said the bomb exploded while…

Summary

Published
3 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3494

Location

المسيفرة, Al-Musayfrah, Daraa, Syria
An elderly woman was reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al-Musayfrah in Dara'a on July 1st, 2018 according to local sources. Hajja Aisha Muhammad Taha Al-Zoubi was reported killed. Fatima Hamidi posted on Facebook "The martyrdom of hajja Aisha Al-Muhammad in the town of Al-Musayfrah, after her body was found…

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3495

Location

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria
Four people were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Tafas in Daraa, Syria on July 1st, 2018. Violations Documentation Center in Syria said that Jihad Qaseem al-Horani, Moaz Jaber al-Rebdawi, Hosain Ali al-Bardan and Mohammad Ahmad al-Natoura, all  civilians from Tafas, were killed in Russian forces or Syrian regime and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3493

Location

معرّبة, Maaraba, Daraa, Syria
A single source reported 14 killed, including two women, in alleged Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the town of Maaraba, east of Daraa. Step News Agency also reported the wounding of “others” in the strikes.

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3489

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
A woman was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Nawa in Daraa, Syria on June 30th, 2018. Violations Documentation Center identified the woman as Amerah Muhammad Kheir al-Johmane.  Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported "The death of a woman and the injury of others as a result…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident