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

28 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3477

Location

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria
Two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Saida, Daraa governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that "at least two civilians, including a child, were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on Saida town in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3474

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Up to 13 civilians were reported killed and dozens including women and children critically injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas and a convoy of displaced people who were heading from Nawa to Qunaitera in Daraa on June 28th, 2018 according to reports from local sources. @HalabTodayTV said that Russian warplanes targeted a convoy…

Summary

Published
28 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–13
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3466

Location

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Saida town in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018, according to local sources. @abode125 tweeted that "the young man Basil Muhammad Qaddah, from the town of aheel in the eastern countryside of Daraa, was martyred while he was in Saida town due…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3467

Location

الطيبة, Tayba, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported that up to 13 civilians including at least four children were killed and four others including children were injured in Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Tayba in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018. Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office said that ten of the victims were from the same family. SMART News…

Summary

Published
27 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3455

Location

كحيل, Kiheel, Daraa, Syria
At least one civilian is reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kiheel in Daraa on June 27th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that they "documented that three were killed in bombardment by warplane on the towns of Jiza, Kiheel, and al-Msifra, and the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3456

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported injuries among civilians as a result of raids allegedly by Russian forces on Nawa and other towns of Dara'a al Balad. Shaam Network reported that "the raids also resulted in  a number of wounded in  Daraa al-Balad, Ghariyah al-Sharqiya, al-Harak, Saida, Nahata, Kahil, Nawa, Tasil, al Soura, Ibta’a, Shaikh Saad, Tafas and…

Summary

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