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

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3065

Location

حزرما, Hazrama, Damascus, Syria
One civilian was killed in Hazrama, Damascus, local media reported, following allegedly both Russian and Assad-waged aerial shelling of the town. In continuation of the intense shelling of eastern Ghouta, Hazrama was subject to "air and missile bombardment", as reported by LCCSY. All known sources reported one civilian fatality from the strikes. Baladi News and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3070

Location

مديرا, Madera, Damascus, Syria
At least one - possibly a child - and as many as five civilians were killed as Madera, Damascus, was subject to airstrikes, carried out by Russia and/or the Assad regime, as reported by local media. As a part of the intense shelling of eastern Ghouta, Madera was also struck by warplanes, local media reported. For…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3071

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
One named civilian man was killed along with "tens" of wounded, local media reported as Hamouriya, like the rest of eastern Ghouta, continued to be under aerial shelling, carried out by Russian and/or the Syrian regime. Besides from airstrikes, Baladi News reported the launch of explosive barrels, and al-Jazeera, citing local sources, reported how "the regime (Assad,…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3072

Location

اللطامنة, al-Latamna, Hama, Syria
According to local media, up to four civilians, including one woman, were killed and dozens left wounded, as Russian or Assad forces carried out air and artillery shelling of Latamna, Hama. Step News Agency reported how allegedly "Russian raids and rocket-propelled grenades" had struck the city of Latamna, resulting in great civilian harm. The death…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3067

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "The child Ibrahim Abdul Karim al-Kharouf, a native of the town of Latamina in the north-western province of Hama, was killed by the bombing of an air force that we believe is a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3073

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
Up to six civilians, including up to four children and one woman, were killed and dozens were left wounded as Ain Tarma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by Syrian Regime and/or Russian-waged warplanes, local media reported. As the intense shelling of several parts of eastern Ghouta continued, Ain Tarma was also struck, resulting in great…

Summary

Published
19 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident