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

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3127

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded due to airstrikes in Kafar Zita. Sources did not attribute blame, however this raid occurred at the same time as the allegedly join Russian and Syrian regime raid on "village of Hawija, west of Hama, Latmeen Village north of Hama, and the cities of Al Latamna and Kafarzita".…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3130

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria
A young man was killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, according to social media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. Sources were conflicted as to whether the young man was a civilian or a non-civilian. VDC reported that he was a non-civilian, however all other sources reported he was a civilian. According to local…

Summary

Published
2 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3128

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media. Step News Agency reported that "in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched…

Summary

Published
2 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–14
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3122

Location

الحويجة, Al Hwaija, Hama, Syria
As many as three civilians were killed - including a pregnant woman - and three others were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Hwaija, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes. A man and a pregnant woman were included in the death toll. However, the man named by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3123

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Between one and two civilians were killed and "others" were wounded, in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. The named civilian was reported to have been displaced. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3129

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria
As many as four civilians were reported as killed, and others injured, due to air and artillery strikes in Beit Sawa, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. The raids struck a residential area, and killed as many as three children. The Syrian Civil Defence reported "three…

Summary

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