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

RS3167

Location

Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Nineteen named civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in a suspected chemical wepaon attack on Saqba, local media reported. Sources blamed the Russian and Syrian regime alliance. @SiegeWatch, who published a video documenting the strike, tweeted that "Multiple chemical attacks reported, with a very strong chlorine smell." Sources reported that dozens of wounded…

Summary

Published
7 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–19
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3165

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between three and four civilians were killed, including a 20 day old baby, and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Arbeen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. A child was trapped under the rubble for an extended period of time due to the collapse of a…

Summary

Published
6 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3163

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shougur, Idlib, Syria
A woman and a child were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr Al Shougur, local media reported. According to sources Russia were to blame for the raids. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence aided the wounded in the aftermath. @SyrianCoalition reported that "four air raids from the warplanes on the neighbourhoods of the city of Jisr…

Summary

Published
6 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3164

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Between six and nine civilians including three children were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in airstrikes on Jisreen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Most sources attributed the blame to the Syrian regime; however, the Violations Documentation Centre, who named six fatalities, blamed "Syrian government and…

Summary

Published
6 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3161

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
One to five civilians, including a girl, were killed, and several others were injured in air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Hazza. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Qasioun News reported on "artillery shelling by the regime's forces" in the residential area. There were as many as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3162

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on civilian homes in Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. @EuphratesPost reported on the "effects of the great destruction that hit the residential areas in the city of Douma as a result…

Summary

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