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

RS3042

Location

Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
At least three civilians were killed and up to dozens were left wounded as Ain Tarma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by airstrikes, local media reported, who, however, were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime - or both. As depicted on footage from the scene, the airstrikes hit residential areas and left…

Summary

Published
20 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3034

Location

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria
Between three and five civilians, including at least one child, were killed as the town of Al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, local media reported. Sources were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime - or both. As several sources reported, large parts of eastern…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3035

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
As many as nine civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and at least one civilian was wounded as the Syrian regime and/or Russia carried out air and artillery shelling of Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As several sources reported, large parts of eastern Ghouta, including Douma, were subject to heavy…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3036

Location

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria
At least one and as many as eight civilians were killed and several were left wounded  as the town of Zamalaka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial shelling local media reported, who, however, were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime - or both. As several sources reported, large parts of eastern…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3037

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
On February 19, 2018, between six and 11 civilians, including two children and four women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian and/or Syrian forces carried out aerial and artillery shelling of Hazza, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As a part of a intensification of shelling of large parts of eastern Ghouta, the…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3038

Location

بيت سوى, Beat Sawa, Damascus, Syria
In what was described as a "massacre", up to 55 civilians, including 40 children and women were killed and "dozens" wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime continued its heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, this time in Beat Sawa, local media reported. While many towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to lethal air raids and…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
17–55
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident