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

13 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3237

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Four to eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in a suspected napalm attack on the Grand Mosque in Arbeen, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to Russian and Syrian regime raids. Sources reported that helicopters threw as many as 15 explosive barrels on the residential neighbourhood, leaving civilians both dead and wounded. Syria…

Summary

Published
13 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3233

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
"Many civilians"  civilians were injured in airstrikes on Kafar Batna, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Cluster bombs and phosphorus rockets were reportedly used in the raids. According ZamanAlwasl, "many civilians, including women and children, were injured in a bombing neighborhoods by cluster bombs". Syria Noor reported: "The…

Summary

Published
13 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3238

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
At least two civilians including a woman were killed, including one member of the Syrian Civil Defence, and three or more wounded in airstrikes on Zamalka, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. According to media, the planes struck an ambulance killing a civil defence volunteer and injuring…

Summary

Published
13 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3239

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
At least 17 civilians including a child were killed and an "many" others were injured, in air and artillery strikes on Ain Tarma, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. There were also reports of rocket attacks. HomsNetworkLive reported that the "Syrian Arab Army [began] a military operation…

Summary

Published
13 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
17–18
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3231

Location

الريحان, Al Rayhan, Damascus, Syria
A single source reported that "dozens were injured" due to "the bombing campaign of the Russian and Al Assad forces" in Al Rayhan. According to the Shaam News Network, "The bombing campaign by Russian and Al Assad forces continued on civilian houses in Al-Ghouta, where four people were killed in the city of Saqba, five…

Summary

Published
13 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3240

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Between three and five civilians were killed and "a large number" more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, according to local media. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. @Wesal_TV and @HalabTodayTV  and other sources put the death toll at three. However, the Violations Documentation Centre listed five…

Summary

Published
13 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident