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

18 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3284

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Seven or eight people, including two women and two children, were killed in air and artillery strikes on the city of Harasta on March 18th, 2018, according to several sources. The belligerent remains contested, with sources pointing both at Russia and the Syrian regime. Syriahr reported the incident occurred in the evening, as warplanes carried…

Summary

Published
18 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3283

Location

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria
One or two civilians, including reportedly a child, were killed in airstrikes on the city of Arbin, Damascus governorate, on March 18th 2018, as reported by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. @SYR_REV_NEWS reported that shelling with rocket launchers on residential areas of the city killed one civilian and that dozens of civilians were wounded.…

Summary

Published
18 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3285

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were killed or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian air and/or artillery strikes on the city of Ain Tarma on March 18th, 2020, according to local sources. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that there were "martyrs and wounded in airstrikes by Assad and the Russians on the cities…

Summary

Published
18 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

18 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3286

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Thirteen civilians, including five children and three women, were killed by airstrikes on residential areas of the city of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, on March 18th, 2018. Conflicting reports blame both Russia and the Assad regime for the strikes. The Violations Documentation Center (VDC) in Syria documented the death of 13 civilians, some members of the…

Summary

Published
18 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3279

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
At least 30 and as many as 71 civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Zamalka on March 17th, 2018, according to local media sources. Al Modon news said "The massacre occurred as hundreds of civilians flocked from the city of Zamalka to the city of Hamouriya, which…

Summary

Published
17 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
30–71
Civilians reported injured
20–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3280

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Saqba on March 17th, 2018, according to local sources. The pro-regime source @addouniatv reported: "Martyrs and wounded residents of Saqba as a result of terrorists targeting civilians as they leave their towns". Step News Agency, however, stated…

Summary

Published
17 March 2018
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