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

RS3488

Location

صيدا, Sayda, Daraa, Syria
At least two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Sayda in the eastern suburbs of Dara'a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was possibly injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "at least two…

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

RS3479

Location

الغارية الغربية, Western Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported deaths and injuries among civilians in Western Ghariya in Daraa on June 29th, 2018. Shaam Network said that "The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighborhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafs, Kahil, Sheikh Saad,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3475

Location

داعل, Da'el, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported that up to five civilians were killed and 15 others injured in alleged Russian raids with four rockets on Da'el in Daraa on June 28th, 2018. SMART reported that "Four civilians, including two women, were killed and others wounded as a result of raids by Russian planes on residential neighborhoods in the…

Summary

Published
28 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3476

Location

الغارية الشرقية, Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya, Daraa, Syria
At least two men were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya, Dara'a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News reported that "many were dead and wounded, including children." Step News reported: "Many dead and wounded, including children, killed by the targeting of the town…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3472

Location

سهوة القمح, Sawha Al Qameh, Daraa, Syria
Four civilians from the same family, including two women, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sawha al Qamah, Dara'a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The SNHR wrote that "four civilians from the same family, including two women, were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3473

Location

المسيفرة, Al-Musayfrah, Daraa, Syria
Up to 70 civilians including women and children were reported killed in Al-Musayfrah in Dara'a on June 28th, as a result of alleged multiple Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on a residential building or a group of shelters that host a group of families, according to local sources. Also dozens of civilians were injured…

Summary

Published
28 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–70
Civilians reported injured
12–38
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident