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

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3209

Location

Ein Tarma, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were killed, and up to 20 more were injured in reported air and artillery strikes on Ein Tarma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. One source, Souriyati, reported that the "regime also targeted the popular market", causing destruction to shops. According to @Doumarevolution, "there were…

Summary

Published
11 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3217

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Between eight and ten civilians, among them children and women, were killed (including four from one family and three others were injured in airstrikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime for the strikes. There were reportedly as many as ten raids, and burning napalm was also used,…

Summary

Published
11 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3210

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number civilians were wounded and killed, including children, when in alleged Russian airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Kafar Batna, local media reported. Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported "martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of raids by Russian warplanes on the cities of Zamalka and # Hamouriya and # Kafar Batna…

Summary

Published
11 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3218

Location

كفر سجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
Between three and five civilians including a child and a woman were killed and others were injured in airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Kafar Sijna, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Two raids struck the residential vicinity. Members of the Civl Defence dug victims from the rubble.…

Summary

Published
11 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3211

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Saqba, according to local media. Halab Today said that "civilians, including children, were wounded by artillery shelling on the town of Saqba in the eastern Ghouta". According to @reema3110, "Russian planes targeted two residential neighborhoods in the town…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3212

Location

Saqba, Damascus, Syria
A family were - a man, his wife, and their baby girl - died and others wounded in airstrikes on Saqba, local media reported. Sources mostly attributed the blame to Russia, however VDC blamed the Syrian/Russian alliance. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence pulled the bodies of the family form the rubble of their home.…

Summary

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