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

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3301

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between three and 14 civilians including two children were reportedly killed and dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime forces airstrike on a residential area in Arbeen on March 20th 2018, according to local media resources. According to the Smart News Agency, "The Great Mosque in the city of Arbeen, east…

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3302

Location

مخيم عقربات, Aqrabat camp, Idlib, Syria
At least nine civilians, mainly children, were killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on Aqrabat camp for Internally Displaced People, north of the town of Hass in Idlib province, on March 20th, 2018, according to local sources. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSy) reported that seven civilians had been killed and that there were dozens…

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3303

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
At least nine civilians, including two children, were killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the city of Harasta on March 20th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggested that the death toll could be as high as 20, including 16 children and four women. An…

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–20
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3304

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
In a major civilian harm incident, at least 53 named civilians, including 14 children and six women, were killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Douma on March 20th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "at least 54 civilians, including 14 children and 6…

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
53–64
Civilians reported injured
20–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3296

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces near a cemetery in the city of Saqba, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018. @AJA_Syria tweeted that "Syrian executed 18 civilians on the ground near the cemetery of the city of Saqba, Ghouta, Damascus." Other sources also reported that civilians…

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3297

Location

المليحة, Al Maliha, Damascus, Syria
The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) reported that one civilian was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces in the village of Al Maliha, Damascus governorate, on March 20th, 2018. Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident