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

RS3221

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between three and 14 civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Arbeen, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame both Russia and the Syrian regime. Step News Agency initially reported that "Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels" on the town. Step…

Summary

Published
11 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–14
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

11 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3213

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
A child was killed and others were wounded in airstrikes in Jisreen, according to local media. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids on the vicinity. Step News Agency reported that "Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels targeting the town of Jisreen". There were airstrikes were reportedly loaded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3206

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and five more were wounded, reportedly from one family, in air and artillery strikes on Al Lataminah, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. There were as many as two raids on the vicinity. SCD HAMA reported that "a civilian was killed…

Summary

Published
10 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3203

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
One adult male was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Jisreen, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to the Step news agency, "Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels targeting the city…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3204

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
In what has been described by local media as a "genocide" between 20 and 37 civilians were reportedly killed, including an entire family of 16, and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma. Sources mostly reported that it was a join Russian and Syrian regime attack on the residential…

Summary

Published
10 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
20–37
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3205

Location

عربين, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
As many as ten civilians were killed and dozens were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, according to local media. Sources attributed blame to both the Syrian regime and Russia. Smart, who only reported on one civilian death, added that Harasta was hit by "70 Russian air strikes, 15 military jets, 20 barrels…

Summary

Published
10 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident