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

RS3465

Location

المسيفرة, Al Musifra, Daraa, Syria
Between two and 20 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Musifra, Dara'a governorate, on June 27th, 2020, according to local sources. A Syrian Civil Defence centre was targeted and destroyed. Horrya's correspondent Lujain Al Melihan reported "the martyrdom of about 20 civilians, dozens of wounded, most of them women…

Summary

Published
27 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3453

Location

الغارية الشرقية, Eastern Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
Two civilians from the same family were reported killed and other civilians injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces bombing on Eastern Ghariya in Dara'a on June 26th, 2018. Local sources said the town was attacked with explosive barrels. The two victims were identified as Yasser Muhammad Mousa Al-Hajj Ali  who died as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3454

Location

إبطع, Ibta'a, Daraa, Syria
A young man was killed and up to six others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the city of Ibta'a, Dara'a governorate, on June 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Amin Abu Halwa wrote on Facebook that the young Ali Ahmad Al Mahmoud Al Hariri had been killed as the…

Summary

Published
26 June 2018
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3449

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Eight civilians were reported killed and up to 25 others injured as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Nawa in Daraa, south of Syria on June 26th, 2018 according to local sources. Shaam Network said that "Activists confirmed that the Russian warplanes launched air strikes with rockets at the residential…

Summary

Published
26 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3450

Location

عدوان, Adwan, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Adwan in Daraa on June 26th, 2018 according to local sources. @Horan_now1 tweeted "One man was killed and several wounded, by a Russian air strike, on the residential neighbourhoods of Adwan, west of Daraa." Adwan village posted on Facebook reporting "A raid…

Summary

Published
26 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3448

Location

المسيفرة, Al-Musayfrah, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al-Musayfrah in Dara'a on June 26th, 2018. @alsari23 tweeted reporting "the death of the young man Diya'a Muhammad Salih Al-Shazly (M), after Russian warplanes targeted the town of Al-Musayfrah." BBC News reported from a charitable organization and a group of observers…

Summary

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