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

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3482

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the city of Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, civilians were injured and killed. @abode125 tweeted that "Russian aviation targeted the city of Nawa and Tafas in the western countryside of Dara'a." Step News posted a video of the damage after the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3483

Location

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria
Alleged Russian, Syrian regime and/or Iranian air and/or artillery strikes targeted the town of Tafas, Dara'a countryside, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, civilians were injured and killed. Shaam News Network reported that "the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3484

Location

كحيل, Kahil, Daraa, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the village of Kahil, east of Dara'a, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, the strikes led to civilian casualties. Shaam News Network reported that "the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Dara'a…

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

RS3485

Location

شيخ سعد, Al Sheikh Saad, Daraa, Syria
Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sheikh Saad on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. SNN wrote that "the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3486

Location

الجيزة, Al Jiza, Daraa, Syria
Up to two civilians, including a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Jiza in the eastern suburbs of Dara'a, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "at least two civilians,…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3487

Location

المسيفرة, Al Massifra, Daraa, Syria
Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Massifra on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. SNN wrote that "the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on the…

Summary

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