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

RS3185

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
@SYR_REV_NEWS tweeted that "dozens of civilian casualties occurred as a result of the targeting of residential areas in the town of Jisreen by several air strikes". The source did not attribute blame. However, according to Local Coordination Committees Syria, there was "the fall of a large number of martyrs and wounded civilians as a result…

Summary

Published
8 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–5
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

RS3189

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians - a child and a member of the White Helmets - were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery and missile strikes on Saqba, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. @HalabTodayTV tweeted the "demolition of residential areas by air, artillery and missile attacks".…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3168

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Two to 12 civilians were killed, including two Palestinians, due to airstrikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report that "12 civilians from the same family, including six children and four women" were killed…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3176

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
Between seven and ten civilians were killed in airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Kafar Batna, local media reported. Sources were contested as to which belligerent was to blame, with some blaming Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime. Barrel bombs were dropped onto the vicinity in conjunction with heavy shelling, according to @SiegeWatch. Sources…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3169

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on Ain Tarma, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes. Alaraby reported: "According to media loyal to the regime, the warplanes bombed several times, targeting in the towns of Haza and Ein Tarma, in Kafarbatna, Harasta and Arbine in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3171

Location

العالية, Al Alia, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians were killed, and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on AAl Alia, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Three raids directly struck the town, with media reporting that both Russian RPG's and explosive barrel bombs were used on the vicinity. Idlib Plus tweeted…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident