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

15 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3264

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
Seven civilians including two children died in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Hazza, local media said. There were reports that Russia conducted two strikes, the second of which killed a member of the civil defence and a medic. According to @RaedAlSaleh3, "The martyr Ayman Jamal al-Din, a volunteer of the Civil Defense volunteers, was killed…

Summary

Published
15 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3265

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya , Damascus, Syria
Between 13 and 26 civilians including at least four children and four women were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Hamouriyah in Rif Damascus, Syria, on March 15th, 2018 according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Eastern Ghouta area witnessed heavy…

Summary

Published
15 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13–26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3257

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One adult male died in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Kafar Zeita, according to local media. Muraselon reported:  "Field sources confirmed to reporters that Syrian and Russian fighter jets targeted the locations of armed terrorist organizations inside the towns of Tal Malh and Al-Jbain to reach their supply lines in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3258

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged regime or Russian shelling of Arbeen, according to sources on the ground. The Smart News Agency reported: "Destruction in the city of Arbeen (9 km east of the secret capital Damascus), Thursday, March 15, 2018, as a result of aerial and artillery shelling by Syrian regime forces and Russia,…

Summary

Published
15 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3259

Location

عابدين, Abdeen, Idlib, Syria
There were an unspecified of civilian casualties in alleged Russian airstrikes on Abdeen, local media reported. The Step News Agency said: "Russian air strikes targeted a sedimentary plantation west of the town of Abdeen in the southern countryside of Idlib, and there is news of civilian casualties." According to the Smart News Agency, "War planes…

Summary

Published
15 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

15 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3263

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
In a major civilian harm incident, up to 21 civilians died and as many as 70 more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Zamalka. Many sources said that this was a chemical attack by the regime, though there were also multiple allegations against Russia. The Violations Documentation Centre named "18 victims killed…

Summary

Published
15 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
18–21
Civilians reported injured
12–70
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident