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

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3082

Location

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria
In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported that the Syrian regime in cooperation with Russia had waged aerial and artillery shelling in Al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, possibly leading to civilian harm. While the report made no specific mentioning of civilian harm, it is assessed that at least two civilians were wounded as it was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3095

Location

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria
Russian and/or Assad-waged shelling potentially resulted in civilian harm, as the town of Otaya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by both airstrikes, explosive barrels and artillery, local media reported. Besides from reports of airstrikes and artillery shelling, both Oday Hussein and Homam al-Hassan, reported how the town also was stuck by explosive barrels, launched from helicopters.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3083

Location

حوش الصالحية, Hawsh Al Salihya, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Hawsh Al Salihya. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. There is one report of the use of an explosive barrel. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3084

Location

حوش الضواهرة, Hawsh Al Dawahra, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Hawsh Al Dawahra, according to local media. Sources attribute the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Sources claimed that explosive barrels were used on the vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3091

Location

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria
One civilian was killed and others were left injured, local media reported following aerial shelling of Zamalaka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, carried out by either Russia, the Syrian regime, or both. al-Jazeera's correspondent in eastern Ghouta reported how "raids of the regime and Russia targeted residential buildings with internationally banned cluster bombs, explosive barrels and napalm…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3085

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes. Sources blamed heavy shelling for the destruction. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident