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

9 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3199

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
Nine or more civilians - mainly women and children - were killed and dozens were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids on the vicinity. Sources reported that there were as many as 27 barrel bombs, as well as 18…

Summary

Published
9 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3197

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Between five and seven civilians including a child were killed and dozens more were wounded in multiple air and artillery strikes on Jisreen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. High-explosive missiles were used in conjunction with cluster bombs with as many as 13 raids on the residential neighbourhood…

Summary

Published
9 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3194

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Saqba, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for raids. Heavy explosions caused mass destruction on the vicinity. Baladi reported that "The towns and cities of Saqba, Harasta, Arbeen, Masraba, Madara and Duma witnessed heavy aerial and artillery…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3195

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
A single source reported that both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes fired heavy air and artillery strikes on Hamouriya, causing an unspecified number of injured civilians. The Shaam News Network said: "Russian warplanes and the Assad helicopters launched fierce air raids accompanied by artillery bombardment and a very violent missile strikes, resulting in a terrible…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3190

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime for the raids. There were between four and 15 raids on the vicinity, with more than 20 artillery shells fired onto the residential neighbourhood. As…

Summary

Published
8 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3186

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Several civilians including a woman were wounded in "renewed" airstrikes on Hamouriya, according to local media. The Smart News Agency said that one civilian was wounded in a Russia raid. @KumaitAgency tweeted that "Several civilians, including women, were injured in the renewed aerial bombardment of an air strike with more than one rocket on the…

Summary

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