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

RS3124

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
Between one and two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in napalm bomb strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, however the majority of source attributed blame to the Syrian regime. Huge fires were caused as a result of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3125

Location

دير العصافير, Dear Al Asafir, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were reported to have been killed in airstrikes by both the Syrian regime and Russia. Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report on this raid. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3126

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamna, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians was wounded and three were killed due to air and artillery strikes on Al Latamna, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Although Smart News reported that the aftermath was limited to material damage, Step News reported that some civilians were wounded…

Summary

Published
2 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3117

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed along with two wounded as Russian and/or Assad launched airstrikes and artillery shelling in the town of Beit Sawa, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. All sources reported the death of three civilians. The Violations Documentation Centre (VDC) reported that the three victims were all adult men. Additionally, sources reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3118

Location

كفربطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians, including a young girl, were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. @saqbani1972adam, who reported that the strikes hit residential areas, said that three were killed and "dozens" were left wounded. The three victims were identified by…

Summary

Published
1 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3119

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Local sources reported the death of three civilian men in the town of Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, following airstrikes, either carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime or both. As a part of a larger aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta on March 1st, three civilians, identified by name, were killed in Hamouriya. However, it should…

Summary

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