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

22 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3060

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
In what was described as "endless" bombing of Douma, Damascus, up to 34 civilians, including children and women, were killed and dozens left wounded, as reported by local media, who blamed either the Assad regime or joint Assad/Russian forces. As eastern Ghouta continued to be under heavy shelling, Smart News Agency reported how "the Syrian regime…

Summary

Published
22 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–34
Civilians reported injured
24
Military actors reported killed
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3061

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
According to local media, up to five civilians, including four women, were killed and several were left wounded as Russian and/or Assad-waged warplanes struck Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Enab Baladi reported how "at least five people were killed today in the town of Hamuriya, in the center of the besieged area, by an air strike…

Summary

Published
22 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3056

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were killed along with a number of wounded as Russian airstrikes and/or Assad artillery shelling struck Al Shifonya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. Several sources reported that two civilians were killed in the incident, and both were identified by name by Ghouta Media Center. It was however, not clear whether the victims…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3062

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between three and five civilians, including at least one child, were killed and several left wounded by Russian and/or Assad waged warplanes striking in Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. Without specifying how many were killed on February 22nd alone, Qasioun News and al-Youm reported that between ten and 13 civilians, including five children,…

Summary

Published
22 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3057

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
According to local media, between two and three civilians, including one child, were killed along with a number of wounded as Mesraba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes. For the third day in a row, eastern Ghouta, including Mesraba, was subject to heavy shelling, as reported by numerous media. Baladi News…

Summary

Published
22 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

RS3058

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Up to twenty people were killed and several left wounded as Assad and/or Russian warplanes struck Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As the heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, sources reported about renewed shelling of Saqba on February 22nd. While no reports provided exact figures of the death toll…

Summary

Published
22 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident