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

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3457

Location

تسيل, Tasil, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported injuries among civilians as a result of raids allegedly by Russian forces on Tasil 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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3468

Location

الصورة, Al-Soura, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported injuries among civilians as a result of Russian airstrikes on Al-Soura in Daraa on June 27th, 2018. @Mohamadabzed tweeted that "Russian warplanes launched intense air strikes on the town of Al-Soura, in the eastern Daraa countryside." Other sources pointed out that the Russian warplanes targeted Al-Soura with explosive barrels which reached eight…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3469

Location

الشيخ سعد, Al-Sheikh Saad, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al-Sheikh Saad in Daraa on June 27th, 2018 led to injuries among civilians. 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, Al-Sheikh Saad,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3470

Location

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Tafas in Daraa on June 27th, 2018 led to injuries among civilians. 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, Al Shaikh Saad,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3458

Location

الغارية الغربية, Western Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian raids on Western Ghariya in Daraa, Syria on June 27th, 2018. Shaam Network reported that "Activists confirmed that the air, artillery and rocket attacks on the village of Daraa today led to one martyr in each of al Massifra, Saida and Western Ghariya ." No further information is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3460

Location

داعل, Da'el, Daraa, Syria
Five civilians, including a woman and three children, were killed and more than 13 others in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Da'el, Dara'a governorate, on June 27th 2018, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that "civilians, including a woman and three children, were martyred and more than 13 others were injured…

Summary

Published
27 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
13–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident