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

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3030

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
As many as 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and up to dozens more were left wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Hamouriya, Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strikes in Hamouriya were part of a widespread shelling of multiple neighbourhoods in eastern Ghouta on February 19th, local media reported. However,…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15–20
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3039

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria
Up to three civilians, two men and one woman, were killed and several were left wounded as Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to air and artillery shelling as reported by local media. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Damas Press, who did not identify a culprit, reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3031

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
At least four and as many as 14 civilians including ar least one woman and one child were killed and several others wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strikes in Saqba were part of a widespread intensified shelling of multiple residential neighbourhoods in eastern Ghouta…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–14
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3032

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
Up to five civilians including one woman were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jisreen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The death toll amounted to three or four, sources on the ground said. However, a total of five fatalities were identified by name by Zaman al-Wasl and Damascus…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3033

Location

اوتايا, Otaia, Damascus, Syria
According to local media, a family of up to seven members, including as many as five children, were killed and several others were left wounded by air and artillery strikes in Otaia, Damascus, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime. Sources reported that multiple towns of eastern Ghouta were subject to aerial and…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3029

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, a husband and wife, were killed and several others were left wounded in alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strikes on Latmeen, Idlib, according to local media. Smart News Agency, who cited a military spokesman of the Free Syrian Army, said that "warplanes likely to be Russian launched eight raids on agricultural…

Summary

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