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

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3253

Location

Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
Between two and four civilians have been killed and as many as ten others, including children, were injured, in air and artillery strikes on Kafar Batna, according to local media. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Barrel bombing was reported in these strikes. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence teams…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3254

Location

قلعة المضيق, Qal’et Al Madik, Hama, Syria
Four civilians from one family were killed, including a man, a woman and two children, and others were injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qal’et Al Madik, local media reported. @bokraahla1984 tweeted: "Today, [March 14th] a good resident was killed with his wife, child and daughter, leaving in this life his eldest son, who did…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3255

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported between eight and 12 civilians were killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Arbeen. Sources reported barrel bombing by the regime and airstrikes by Russia. The lowest death count was given as two. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that "two civilians were martyred due to rocket shelling in areas…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3245

Location

Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Three civilian males died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Harasta, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Centre listed three unidentified adult male civilians as killed by warplanes belonging to "Syrian government and affiliated militias".

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3246

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Zamalka, according to local media. @QUSAY_NOOR_reported:  "The town of Zalmalka was targeted with several high-explosive barrels on residential areas and many civilians were injured". @Doumarevolutio1 reported four raids. According to the Step News Agency, "many civilians were killed and injured by a Russian air strike on…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3256

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
In a major incident, between 12 and 15 civilians including multiple members from several families were reported killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Hamourya. There were also reports of the use of "toxic gases" in the attacks. @Baraa_Abdul tweeted: The regime is targeting the town of Hamourya with toxic gases…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident