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

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3490

Location

غصم, Ghasam, Daraa, Syria
Up to 22 civilians including three children, a woman and a civil defense volunteer were killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime double-tap airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a, Syria on June 30th, 2018, according to local sources. The sources also added that it was difficult to count the numbers of those…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
6–22
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3491

Location

معربة, Maaraba, Daraa, Syria
Up to 17 civilians, 9 of which are from the same family, were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian raids on their houses in Maaraba in Daraa, Syria on June 30th, 2018 according to local sources. Step Agency said "The killing of 14 civilians, including two women and wounding others as a result…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14–17
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3492

Location

السهوة, Al-Sahwah, Daraa, Syria
19 civilians including five women, five women, and three Lebanese nationals were reported killed in alleged Russian forces, Iranian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on al-Sahwah in Daraa on June 30th, 2018. Dara'a Martyrs reported that "the warplanes of the regime forces targeted Al-Sahwah town in the eastern countryside of Daraa with several raids. Also…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
15–19
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3480

Location

الغارية الشرقية, Eastern Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported deaths and injuries among civilians as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Eastern Ghariya in Daraa on June 29th, 2018. Shaam Network reported that "The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3481

Location

ام المياذن, Um Al Miathin, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported a number of killed and injured civilians in Um Al Miathin in Daraa, Syria on June 29th, 2018 as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes. Shaam Network said "The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3478

Location

تل شهاب, Tal Shihab, Daraa, Syria
Two male civilians were killed in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on the town of Tal Shihab on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. @asfyhbjinnkhvgz reported the deaths of Ayman Ahmed Al Amyan and journalist Ali Al Rifai Abu Hussein in Tal Shihab. Hamza Al Shaheed wrote on Facebook that Al Rifai had been killed in…

Summary

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