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 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3289

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed or wounded in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the city of Zamalka on March 19th, 2018, according to local sources. @SYR_REV_NEWS reported "martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of warplanes raids with vacuum missiles on the cities and towns of Zamalka,…

Summary

Published
19 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3290

Location

Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between 17 and 28 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air, artillery, and rocket strikes on Erbeen in Eastern Ghouta on March 19th, according to local media sources. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 15 children and two women were killed in the attack. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
19 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
17–28
Civilians reported injured
20–52
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3291

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
At least two civilians were reportedly killed and two others injured in an alleged Russian  airstrike on Hazza town in Eastern Ghouta, March 19th, 2018, according to local media sources. Local Coordination Committees of Syria blamed Russian Forces for the airstrike stating that "Civilians were killed and injured as a result of Russian forces airstrikes…

Summary

Published
19 March 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

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3292

Location

Ein Tarma, Damascus, Syria
At least three civilians were reportedly killed, and  others - including woman and children - were injured in an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Ein Tarma town in Eastern Ghouta, March 19th, 2018, according to local media sources. Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) said on their Facebook page that "Russian warplanes targeted residential…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3293

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Two or three civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike/artillery strikes on Harasta, March 19th, 2018, according to local media sources. Sham Network reported that "Harasta was fired on by land to- land missiles and artillery shells, which led to the fall of two martyrs and the wounded." Shaam…

Summary

Published
19 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

19 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3294

Location

كفرومة, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
Between four to seven civilians including children were injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Kafrouma Village in Southern Idlib, March 19th, 2018. Smart News Agency, Micro Syria and Step News Agency blamed Russian forces warplanes for the strike and civilian harm. Smart News agency reported that "Warplanes carried out two raids with high-explosive…

Summary

Published
19 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident