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

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3177

Location

Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Between three and 11 civilians were killed and several others were injured in multiple airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Jisreen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Sources gave varied reports on the number of civilians deaths. With many reporting that three had been killed, Jsreen.media.office named…

Summary

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

RS3178

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
Between five and six civilians were killed and several others were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Russian and Syrian regime raids. Alaraby News reported that "The Syrian Civil Defence in the countryside of Damascus [reported that a] woman was killed and…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
21
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3175

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Beit Sawa, local media reported. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. @KumaitAgency reported that helicopters struck the vicinity with an explosive barrel. Meanwhile, Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported: "Martyrs and wounded civilians in Russian air force…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
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

RS3182

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Four named civilian civilians were killed in airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods in Arbeen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to @Dmcpress_ar, "warplanes with rockets carrying cluster bombs struck the residential neighbourhood in the city of Arbeen". The Violations Documentation Centre, who blamed "Syrian government and affiliated…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3179

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Between seven and 60 civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in a suspected chemical weapon attack followed by bombing on Hamouriya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. The initial bombing from the air was blamed on Russia; however, sources said that this was followed by a chemical attack…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–60
Civilians reported injured
12–124
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3180

Location

الغسانية, Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed, and dozens more were injured in up to three airstrikes and/ or artillery strikes on Al Ghassaniya, 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…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident