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

RS3140

Location

Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
Three to four civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Mesraba, according to local media. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime. Misraba Now reported that "three explosive barrels of helicopters, in addition to several missiles and rocket launchers. A…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3141

Location

Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria
A woman and a child were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Kafar Zita, according to local media. According to sources, "Amira Ahmed Hilal, the wife of Hussein Faraj al-Hussein (Khawada), who was injured by the bombing of the Russian warplane to join her child Maria". The source reported that "the martyrdom of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3154

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
Three to four civilians were killed due to injuries sustained in an earlier shelling on Douma, according to local media. Sources attributed this strike to both Russia and the Syrian regime. According to SHRC.arabic, "three people affected by the impact of a previous air strike that targeted the city of Douma in the province of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3131

Location

المحمدية, Al Muhammadiya , Damascus, Syria
Up to five civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Muhammadiya, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian for the raids. Barrel bombs, helicopters and artillery targeted a residential neighbourhood, according to local media. According to local media, a child and three adult…

Summary

Published
3 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3136

Location

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria
One civilian was killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Otaya, local media reported. There were not many specific details reported, but it is clear that Otaya was one of many small towns struck in Idlib on the 3rd. Arabic Euro reported "the latest air raids and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3132

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Between two and 15 civilians were killed, and several others were wounded, in airstrikes on Hamouriya, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. As many as "30 Syrian shells" were fired on the vicinity, according to Sky News. Rockets and barrel bombs coming from helicopters targeted the…

Summary

Published
3 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident