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

25 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3447

Location

بصر الحرير, Busr al-Harir, Daraa, Syria
One civilians who worked as a Syrian civil defense volunteer was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime attacks on Busr al-Harir in Dara'a on June 25th, 2018. Local sources reported that he was rescuing injured people when the attack happened. @SCD_Daraa tweeted "The family of the Syrian Civil Defense in Daraa gives you the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3440

Location

الصورة, Al Soura, Daraa, Syria
A woman and a disabled young man from the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Soura, Dara'a governorate, on June 24th 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "two civilians from the same family, one of them a woman, were…

Summary

Published
24 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

24 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3441

Location

علما, Elmah, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Elmah in Daraa, Syria on June 24th, 2018 according to local sources. Dara'a Now, which is a pro regime page, reported "More fire lava on the terrorists' heads in the town of Al-Harak and what remains of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3438

Location

المسفيرة, Al-Musayfrah, Daraa, Syria
Nariman Yasser Kurdi, an infant, was killed in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on the town of Al-Musayfrah in the eastern Daraa countryside. Local sources said that Nariman was wounded in the shelling on June 24th, 2018 and was in a coma for five days until she died of her wounds on June 29th, 2018. Hamza…

Summary

Published
24 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

24 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3439

Location

الحراك, Al-Harak, Daraa, Syria
A woman and a young man were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al-Harak, Daraa governorate, on June 24th, 2018. At least one other man was injured, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "at least two civilians were killed as Syrian/Russian regime warplanes…

Summary

Published
24 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
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

21 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3437

Location

مرعيان, Mar'ayan, Idlib, Syria
Two children were killed when a bomb from a previous Russian bombing exploded in the village of Mar’ayan  in Idlib, Syria on June 21st, 2018 according to local sources. Step News Agency tweeted that "Two children were killed in the village of Mar’ayan  in Idlib countryside, as a result of an explosion of a bomb…

Summary

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