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

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3451

Location

الصورة, Al-Soura, Daraa, Syria
A civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al-Soura in Daraa on June 26th, 2018 according to local sources. SMART News Agency said that "A civilian was also killed in the town of Al-Soura in air strikes likely to be Russian warplanes." Local sources reported Russian airstrikes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3452

Location

درعا البلد, دَرْعَا, Daraa al-Balad, Daraa, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in Daraa al-Balad, Daraa, Syria as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on June 26th, 2018. Shaam Network said that "Russian aircraft and regime helicopters carried out dozens of raids on the neighborhoods of Daraa al-Balad. One martyr fell in each of Daraa al-Balad, the towns of Msaifra, al Ghariya…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3444

Location

الصورة, Al-Soura, Daraa, Syria
Three civilians, including a woman, were killed and 10 others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al-Soura on June 25th, 2018, according to local sources. The LLMA wrote on Facebook that "Russian warplanes launched six airstrikes so far on the town of Al-Soura in…

Summary

Published
25 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3445

Location

الحراك, Al Harak, Daraa, Syria
Three male civilians, including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer and a nurse, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Harak on June 25th 2018, according to local sources. Smart News Agency reported that, according to a medical source, "a civilian, a nurse and a member of the Civil…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3443

Location

محافظة درعا, Daraa governorate, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed or wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the eastern countryside of Daraa governorate on June 25th, 2018, according to Free Deir Ezzor. Free Deir Ezzor wrote on Facebook that "Russia targets and burns displaced civilians in Daraa's eastern countryside as they travel to areas they think are…

Summary

Published
25 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

25 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3446

Location

منطقة اللجاة, Al-Lujat area, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian forces and Syrian regime forces airstrikes on the area of Al-Lujat in Daraa on June 25th, 2018 according to local sources. Shaam Network reported that "Russian and regime war planes and helicopters launched air raids on the liberated cities and towns, where the aircraft raided the cities…

Summary

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