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

RS3298

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, 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 Msraba, Eastern Ghouta, 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

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3299

Location

الميدان, Al-Maydan, Damascus, Damascus, Syria
The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) reported that one civilian was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces in Al-Maydan, 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

Incident Date

20 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3305

Location

سلقين, Salqin, Idlib, Syria
A ballistic missile from an alleged Russian battleship reportedly landed near the town of Salqin, Idlib countryside, on March 20th, 2018. Sources gave conflicting reports regarding civilian casualties. @HadiAlabdallah reported that "a ballistic missile landed near Salqin city of Idlib countryside, coming from Russian battleships in the Mediterranean." Step News Agency reported that there had been reports…

Summary

Published
20 March 2018
Strike Type
Naval bombardment
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3287

Location

حاس, Haas, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and at least two others were injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Haas town in Idlib countryside, March 19th, 2018, according to local media sources. Edleb Media Center (EMC), Shaam Netwoek, @HalabTodayTV and @wateen_media reported that Russian forces warplanes did the attack, killing one civilians and injuring others.

Summary

Published
19 March 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

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3295

Location

مخيم الزوف, Al Zof camp, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians were injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Al Zouf Refugee Camp in Idlib on the borders with Turkey, on March 19th, 2018 According to local sources. Edlib Media Center (EMC) said that four civilians were injured after a rocket carrying cluster bombs was launched from a Russian battleship Mediterranean…

Summary

Published
19 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
0–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3288

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
At least seven civilians, including a child and two women, were killed in air and/or artillery strikes on the city of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, March 19th 2018, as reported by local sources. Reports blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the incident. The Violations Documentation Center (VDC) of Syria documented the names of seven…

Summary

Published
19 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident