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

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3146

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Zakat. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3147

Location

الزلاقيات, Al Zalaqiyat, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Zalaqiyat. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3148

Location

حصرايا, Hasraya, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Hasraya. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3149

Location

الأربعين, Al Arbaeen, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following alleged Russia air or artillery strikes on Al Arbaeen. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling, artillery fire and phosphorous bombs…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3150

Location

قسطون, Kastoun , Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Kastoun. According to SNN, "Russian warplanes launched air strikes accompanied by heavy shelling and artillery shelling targeting the towns of Al Latamna, Kafarzita,Al  Zakat, Zalaqiyat, Hasraya,Al Arbaeen and the villages of kastoun in the western countryside". @HamahNow reported "air…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3151

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Arbeen, local media reported. Local Coordination Committees Syria (LCCSY) blamed Russian warplanes, while @aboalia11 blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. LCCSY were the only source to report the "fall of martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of raids by Russian warplanes…

Summary

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