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

RS3077

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and several left wounded as airstrikes, carried out by either Russia and/or the Syrian regime, struck Beit Sawa, Damascus, local media reported. While not providing many details, local sources reported that airstrikes had struck Beit Sawa, and most reports put the death toll at one. Step News Agency, however,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3079

Location

الافتريس, al-Aftirs, Damascus, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed in al-Aftaris, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, as Russia and the Syrien regime continued its aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta. In this event, only Step News Agency reported that the shelling resulted in civilian harm, putting the death toll at one. The other source, Oday Hussein, merely pointed to aerial shelling of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3080

Location

حزرما, Hazrama, Damascus, Syria
In this event, Step News Agency and al-Arabiya reported that Hazrama, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial and artillery shelling, possibly leading to civilian harm. While the reports made no specific mentioning of civilian harm, it is assessed that at least two civilians were wounded as it was noted by Step News Agency how…

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

RS3089

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria
Up to four civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed and several were left injured, local media reported, following aerial and artillery shelling of Kafar Zeita, Hama, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime. While most sources reported that the town in the countryside of Hama had been struck by air…

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3090

Location

المرج, al-Marj, Damascus, Syria
Civilians were possibly killed and wounded as al-Marj, Damascus, was subject to aerial shelling, as reported by local media, who blamed both Syrian and/or Russian forces. While several sources reported that al-Marj had been struck by air raids, no sources reported the scope of the civilian harm the strikes inflicted. Only Step News Agency al-Jazeera, indicated…

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3081

Location

مديرا, Madera, Damascus, Syria
In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported that the Syrian regime in cooperation with Russia, continued its aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta, including in Madera. While the report made no specific mentioning of civilian harm, it is assessed that at least two civilians were wounded as it was noted how the shelling "resulted in general…

Summary

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