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

RS3092

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
According to local media, up to three civilians, hereof one woman and one child, were killed as several left wounded as Assad and/or Russian-waged warplanes struck Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Several reports told how Kafar Batna was subject to aerial shelling, especially striking residential areas. As the only one, Ghouta Media Center (GMC) reported about…

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3087

Location

Hazza, Damascus, Syria
According to local media, the town of Hazza, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by  air raids, possibly killing one civilian while wounding several, though it was unclear who was to blame. SYR_REV_NEWS reported how unidentified warplanes "launched two raids" in Hazza, and it by others was reported that residential neighbourhoods were struck. Only one source,…

Summary

Published
22 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3088

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Up to 17 civilians, including four children and six women, were killed along with dozens of wounded, local media reported after Douma, Damascus, was subject to "intensive shelling" from both the air and the ground, though apportion of blame was unclear. The Syrian Civil Defence, who put the death toll at 17, reported how it…

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10–17
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3093

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
According to local sources, Russian and/or Assad-waged warplanes and helicopters struck Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, killing up to three civilians, including two children as well as wounding "dozens". Smart News Agency reported that "nine raids were carried out by warplanes likely to be Russian on the city of Arbeen (...). The bombing killed three civilians…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3094

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were killed as al Shifonya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by explosive barrels and missiles, local media reported - though it was unclear who was to blame. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its seventh day, Shifonya was again struck on February 24th, which according to HalabTodayTV and Step News Agency…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3078

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported on two different platforms that joint Russian/Syrian regime shelling killed one civilian in Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Currently, there are no further details available.

Summary

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