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

RS3276

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Morek in the northern countryside of Hama, on March 17th, 2018, according to local media sources. Many sources including Step News and 7al.net blamed Russian forces for the airstrike, while @HalabTodayTV and @HamahNow reported that Syrian regime forces launched…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3267

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria
Between 61 and 80 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Kafr Batna, Damascus governorate. Estimates of injured civilians range from 100 up to 200. The Violations Documentation Center in Syria documented 61 civilian fatalities. @SiegeWatch put the death toll between 61 and 70, whereas other media…

Summary

Published
16 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
61–80
Civilians reported injured
100–200
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3268

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
At least six civilians, including a child, were killed in airstrikes on residential areas of the city of Harasta on March 16th, as reported by several sources. It remains unclear whether the Russian military or the Syrian regime was responsible for the strike. Six victims have been named, but Jobar News counted nine or 10…

Summary

Published
16 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3269

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Between nine and 12 civilians were killed in airstrikes and/or artillery strikes on the city of Saqba on March 16th 2018. Conflicting reports blame both the Russians and Syrian regime for the incident. One Syrian Civil Defence volunteer was reportedly killed by heavy machine gunfire of Syrian regime soldiers. Goota4 has named eight of the…

Summary

Published
16 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3270

Location

الحويجة, Al Hawaija, Hama, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted several areas in the village of Al Hawija, which is located on the Al Ghab plains in Hama province. An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured. Step News Agency reported that "several people were injured as a result of Russian raids targeting the village of Hawija west…

Summary

Published
16 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3271

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
Up to seven civilians, including a woman and possibly two children, were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hazza, Eastern Ghouta, as reported by local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded. Hazza Media Center reported that two civilians, naming one of them as Safiya Al Zekri from Saqba,…

Summary

Published
16 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident