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

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3281

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians including two children reportedly from the same family were killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strike on March 17th, 2018 on Arbeen city, according to local media. Enab Baladi, @IndependentSyri  and @SYR_REV_NEWS blamed the Syrian regime, while Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) and @mohammadezzomzd blamed Russia. LCCSY reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3277

Location

جوبر, Joubar, Damascus, Syria
Step News reported airstrikes on the village of Joubar on March 18th 2018. The media outlet blamed both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes. According to Step, "The Syrian and Russian planes continued to bombard the air with artillery and missile attacks on the cities and towns of Zamlaka, Saqba, Kafar Batna, Ein Tirma, Joubar and…

Summary

Published
17 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

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3282

Location

كفر نبودة, Kafar Nabouda, Hama, Syria
Four civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Nbouda in Hama, Syria on March 17th, 2018 according to local sources. 7al.net said that "four civilians were injured when Russian warplanes launched two missiles on the town of Kafar Nbouda (opposition-held in the northern countryside of Hama)." "According to…

Summary

Published
17 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike, Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3274

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported "martyrs and wounded civilians in dozens of raids by Russian warplanes" in the city of Harasta on March 17th, 2018. Other sources, such as @Step_Agency also reported Russian airstrikes in Harasta, but did not mention any killed or wounded civilians. @SyriaTwitte wrote that "more than twenty Russian raids,…

Summary

Published
17 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

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3275

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
Two adult male civilians from the same family died in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike - or rocket fire - on Kafar Batna, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Centre named the two fatalities, and blamed warplanes belonging to the "Syrian government and affiliated militias". Local Coordination Committees of Syria…

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

Incident Date

17 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3278

Location

عين ترما, Ein Tarma, Damascus, Syria
Up to 16 civilians were reported killed including children in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ein Tarma on March 17th, 2018, according to local media sources. 12 were children and four women are believed to be among those killed. Victims also included multiple members of three families. Sources said the attacks encompassed…

Summary

Published
17 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6–17
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident