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

20 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3044

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Assad or Russian-waged air and artillery shelling of Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus killed at least five civilians, including one woman, and wounded several, local media reported. Followed by days of intense shelling of eastern Ghouta, including Hamouriya, the death toll reportedly reached five on Tuesday, February 20th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported "at…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3040

Location

Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria
Four civilians, including one girl, were killed along with several wounded as al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Like many parts of eastern Ghouta, aerial and artillery shelling intensified in Al Nashabiya in this…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3045

Location

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria
Up to eight civilians, including at least two women, were killed along with several wounded as airstrikes and artillery shelling continued in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, this time in Zamalaka, local media reported who blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Masrawy News reported how many parts of eastern Ghouta, including Zamalaka, continuously were under "air,…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3041

Location

Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
At least seven but as many as 18 civilians, including up to eight children and one woman, were killed and dozens left wounded as Russian and/or Assad forces carried out aerial and artillery shelling of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, as reported by numerous local sources. In this widely-documented incident, Arbeen was, like the rest of…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–18
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3046

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
Up to dozens of civilians, mostly children, were left wounded following Russian and/or Assad-waged airstrikes in Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta Damascus, as reported by local media. There were, however, no reports of fatalities. Supported by photo documentation, several media reported how "several" to "dozens" of civilians in Kafar Batna were wounded as the town was…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3047

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria
As Russian or Assad-waged warplanes struck Mesraba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, up to seven civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed and "dozens" left injured, local media reported. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on Tuesday, February 20th, the death toll in Mesraba rose to at least four and up to seven, according…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident