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

RS3074

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria
Up to seven civilians, allegedly five from the same family, were killed and several were left wounded Russian and/or Assad forces struck Al Shifonya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The intense shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on Friday, February 23rd, including in Al Shifonya. Here, the strikes struck residential areas, and Douma Revolution reported that…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3075

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
Up to six civilians, hereof three to five children, were killed and "dozens" left wounded as Russian and/or Assad-waged airstrikes struck Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As the heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on February 23rd, Baladi News reported that 22 civilians had been killed in Kafar Batna within the past…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3068

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Up to 13 civilians, including at least one child and one woman, were killed and several left wounded as Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, continued to be subject to heavy air and artillery shelling, local media reported, though the apportion of blame was not clear. While several parts of eastern Ghouta was subject to heavy shelling…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3076

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
As Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck the town of Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported that up to three civilians were killed and several left wounded. The town of Harasta was bombed with at least four air raids, as reported by Ghouta Media Center, who blamed Russia. Meanwhile, al-Jazeera, who quoted field source, said…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3069

Location

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed and several were wounded as Zamalaka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to air strikes and helicopter bombings, carried out by either Russia, the Assad regime, or both, as reported by local media. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on Friday, February 23rd, Zamalaka was not excepted from the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3066

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
One civilian, reportedly a child, was killed as Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, residential areas of Saqba were reportedly been struck on February 23rd. The incident claimed one civilian fatality, as reported by several sources. According to…

Summary

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