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

1 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3120

Location

المرج, al-Marj, Damascus, Syria
Up to five civilians were killed and up to "dozens" were wounded as airstrikes hit al-Marj, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. Three of the victims, Saleh Mohammad Qadeesh, Mohamad Adnan Qadeesh and Nidhal Handhal al-Mehbash were reported by several sources, including Violations Documentation Center (VDC). One of the victims, Abdo Ahmed Hassoun, was only…

Summary

Published
1 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3121

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Several civilians were left wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes in Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local sources reported. Douma.Revolution, who did not mention civilian harm reported: "since the morning, 12 warplanes have carried out air raids against the cities and towns of Douma, Arbeen, Kafratna, Hamuriya, Beit Siy, Jisreen, Ash'ari and Marj in the eastern Ghouta."…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3116

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Warplanes, alleged to be Russian, wounded an unspecified number civilians as the town of Jisreen, Damascus, was struck with airstrikes. Only two known sources reported about this strike. Smart News Agency reported, "wounded civilians with aerial bombardment likely to be Russian on the towns of Jisreen and Beat Sawa and Kafar Batna east of Damascus." Meanwhile,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3115

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
A single source reported "heavy air raids by Russian warplanes on the cities of Harasta and Zamalka in the eastern Ghouta, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians". There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3109

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
As many as eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. A child was amongst those killed, as well as one unidentified body. Four others are named. Rockets and barrel bombs were launched into…

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3110

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
A child and another civilian were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources blame Russian and Syrian regime raids for the strikes. There were as many as 32 raids, with heavy shelling on the residential vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident