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

5 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3160

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Between 12 and 23 civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in a reported chloride attack on Hamouriya, local media reported. Media blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes which reportedly included cluster and barrel bombs, and surface-surface missiles. Twenty civilians were named, however, three additional victims were named as unidentified…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
12–23
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3156

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Twelve named civilians including women and children were killed, and dozens were injured, in air and artillery strikes which hit the residential neighbourhoods in Jisreen. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the airstrikes. One source reported that there were dozens of airstrikes on the vicinity. As many as four children and six…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
11–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3157

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Between five and ten civilians were killed, and dozens were wounded (mostly women and children), in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. @MOAZALSHAMY described the incident as a massacre; they attributed blame to Russia. The Step News Agency put the death…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3158

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
Between three and seven 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 raids reportedly stuck a residential neighbourhood. The highest death count was give as seven by @ManFreeman7. Syria Noor: "The death toll…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3155

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
Between two and six civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Hazza. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. The Step News Agency put the death toll at two; @Mohmaud_Anaus tweeted that four had died; and the Violations Documention Centre, blaming "Syrian government and affiliated militias", named…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3159

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
In a major civilian harm incident, up to 23 civilians - 21 of whom were named - were killed and as many as 40 others were wounded in air, artillery, and rocket strikes  on the residential vicinity of Kafar Batna, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the airstrikes. The…

Summary

Published
5 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
21–23
Civilians reported injured
40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident