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

RS3459

Location

درعا البلد, دَرْعَا, Daraa al-Balad, Daraa, Daraa, Syria
A number of civilians were injured in Daraa al-Balad in Syria on June 27th, 2018 as a result of alleged Russian forces, Iranian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes. @alaraby_ar blamed the Syrian regime, @Horan_now1 accused "Iranian militias" and Shaam Networked blamed Russia for the incident and said "the raids also resulted in  a number of…

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

RS3471

Location

ناحتة, Nahtah, Daraa, Syria
A number of civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime raids on Nahtah in Daraa, Syria on June 27th, 2018. Shaam Network reported that "the raids also resulted in  a number of wounded in  Daraa al-Balad, Western Ghariya, al-Harak, Saida, Nahtah, 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

RS3461

Location

Ibta'a, Daraa, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed and injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Ibta'a, Dara'a governorate, on June 27th, 2018, according to local sources. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that there were "civilian casualties caused by a Russian air raid on the town of #Ibta'a in the central …

Summary

Published
27 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

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3462

Location

Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya, Daraa, Syria
Two children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya in the suburbs of Dara'a on June 27th 2020, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV tweeted that there were "two martyrs and many wounded, by aerial bombardment, targeting the eastern town of Ghariya in Dara'a countryside." @sayaf_kk wrote…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3463

Location

الحراك, Al Harak, Daraa, Syria
Three young men were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Harak, Dara'a governorate, on June 27th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "at least three civilians were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
27 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3464

Location

الجيزة, Al Jiza, Daraa, Syria
Between one and three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Jiza, Dara'a governorate, on June 27th, 2018, according to local sources. Reportedly, the airstrikes targeted the field hospital in the town. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported the "death of a civilian and injured others…

Summary

Published
27 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident