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

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3183

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
Between eight and ten civilians including two or three women were killed in air and artillery strikes on Hazza, local media reported. Sources blamed the Syrian regime and Russian alliance for the strikes. Out of the ten named victims, three adult males were reported as unidentified. Dozens of civilians reportedly were wounded in the raids.…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3191

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
Between nine and 17 civilians were killed, and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Zamalka, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The lowest death toll was given as nine by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. But other sources put it higher. According…

Summary

Published
8 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–17
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

RS3187

Location

عين ترما, Ein Tarma, Damascus, Syria
One civilian male, named as Hazzae al-Saed, was killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ein Tarma, local media reported. Both Russia and the Syrian regime were blamed for the raids. According to Daraa Martyrs, the victim "was killed after he was hit by a military air strike on the town of Ein…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3192

Location

منطقة الفروع, Al Foru’ area, Homs, Syria
Three civilians were killed and members of the Bani Khaled tribe were injured in airstrikes on the Al Foru’ area. Sources blamed Russian raids for the civilian casualties. 7al reported that "the area of ​​the Al Foru’ Badia Al Alyania has been subjected to more than five Russian raids. All the residents of the region…

Summary

Published
8 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

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3188

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
One child was killed and an unspecified number more civilians wounded in alleged Russian and regime air and artillery strikes on Arbeen, according to local media. @eg_nawras tweeted an image of a dead child, though he was not identified, and the source did not say which belligerent was responsible for this death. The Step News…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3184

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
"A civilian was wounded in bombing by warplanes likely to be Russian on the city of Al Latamina", according to the Smart News Agency. Halab Today noted "artillery shelling on the city of Latamna and its surroundings in the northern countryside of Hama", but made no mention of civilian harm.

Summary

Published
8 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident