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

RS3247

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported that four adult male civilians died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Saqba. @ragga_shkeir tweeted that there were "Russian air strikes with guided missiles and missiles loaded with internationally prohibited cluster bombs". According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least 4 civilians were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3248

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in Douma. No civilian victims were named, though a non-civilian, Hothaifa al-Tout, was reported killed in "clashes with Assad". No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3249

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Two named civilian males died in an alleged regime or Russian air or artillery shelling of Jisreen, according to local media.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3250

Location

كفر سجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a 17-year-old male, named Mohammed Saif Al-Din Qassoum Al-Issa died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafar Sijna, according to local media. Sources said that several other civilians were wounded.

Summary

Published
9 September 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3251

Location

ريف ادلب الجنوبي, Southern countryside of Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Step News Agency reported "several injuries in the southern of countryside Idlib and significant material damage" as a result of shelling. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3252

Location

حفسرجة, Hafsarja, Idlib, Syria
The Smart news agency reported: "According to the civil defence, Russian warplanes targeted the village of Hafsarja (30 km north-west of the city of Idlib) with a raid that led to the killing of a civilian and wounding of four others, including a woman. The civil defence helped them to medical points." @ab_jarah tweeted: "A…

Summary

Published
14 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident