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

29 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3408

Location

قرية الكشمة, Al Kashma village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four women were killed and others injured as Russian forces struck the headquarters of the Islamic State in Al Kashma village, according to local sources. Smart News said a French citizen named Maria was among the dead, the wife of one of ISIS Moroccan legal experts currently detained by IS after he split away. The…

Summary

Published
29 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3405

Location

الهبيط , كفرسجنة, كفرنبل ,أرينبة, Al Habit , Kafar Sijna , Arinba and Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died as an aerial bombardment on villages across southern Idlib decimated schools and hospitals, local sources reported. Al Habit was one of the hardest hit by sustained heavy artillery fire, killing a man and woman. Two children were injured in Kafr Nabil, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as warplanes struck…

Summary

Published
25 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3404

Location

شارع عطا الزين في مخيم اليرموك, Ata Al Zein street in Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria
Up to seven civilians including a woman and her husband were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria on April 24th, 2018 according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that "six civilians, including three women were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
24 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3403

Location

مخيم اليرموك ,الحجر الأسود , التضامن ,القدم, Al Yarmouk refugee camp , Al Hajar Al Aswad , Al Kadam and Al Tadamn, Damascus, Syria
Syrian warplanes reportedly carried out 160 air raids on Al Yarmouk refugee camp, as well as the neighborhoods of Al Hajar Al Aswad , Al Kadam and Al Tadamn. More than 40 land-to-surface missiles were launched alongside 35 bombs from helicopters, according to Douma Revolution. Syrian forces also delivered hundreds of rocket-propelled grenades. The shelling…

Summary

Published
23 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3402

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria
Up to five civilians were reported killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus Syria ffor the third consecutive day on April 22nd, 2018. Marsad Hasaka said that Anas Bassam Amouri , Haj Saleh Mahmoud, Muhannad Saleh Mahmoud and Jamal Samih Hamid 'Abu Khaled' were killed in…

Summary

Published
22 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3401

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and others injured in alleged Syrian regime and Russian forces airstrikes on Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria on April 21st, 2018 according to local sources. Step News Agency said that a Palestinian family of three was among four killed as Syrian forces attacked Al Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus. "Mahmud…

Summary

Published
21 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident