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

19 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3424

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee camp, Damascus, Syria
Smart News Agency reported that three civilians, among them one child and a woman, were killed after alleged Russian airstrikes on Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus governorate, on May 19th 2018. Smart wrote that "two women, one old, and one child were killed by the shelling that targeted a residential basement in the camp. [Local activists]…

Summary

Published
19 May 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

18 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3423

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee camp, Damascus, Syria
Two children and four women were killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus governorate on May 18th 2018, according to local sources. Syria TV reported that "Syrian regime and Russian warplanes carried out a massacre of Palestinians in Yarmouk refugee camp today, by targeting a shelter with dozens…

Summary

Published
18 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3422

Location

تل صندل, Tal Sandel, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was killed and four others, including women, were wounded as a result of airstrikes on the village of Tal Sandal, Idlib governorate, according to local sources. These blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime. Orient News reported that "a civilian was killed and four others, including women, were injured on Thursday evening [May…

Summary

Published
17 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3421

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Two children and a woman were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on May 15th 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. The Syrian Civil Defence reported that the children Bara’ah Haj Ali (aged 6) and Rayan Haj Ali (aged 12)…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3420

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
A girl was killed in the village of Al Naqir in rural Idlib as a result of bombings by alleged Russian warplanes on May 10th 2018, local sources reported. Idlib Media Center wrote that a child was killed "as a result of targeting with rockets by the Russian occupation aircraft in the town of Al…

Summary

Published
10 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3419

Location

معرزيتا, Ma'arzita, Idlib, Syria
Up to ten civilians, among them five children and a woman, were killed in airstrikes on the town of Ma’arzita in rural Idlib, according to local sources. Sources reported that the airstrikes were likely carried out by Russian warplanes. One of the alleged Russian airstrikes targeted a shelter, reportedly killing at least five civilians from…

Summary

Published
9 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident