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

11 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3015

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Five civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed along with "dozens" wounded as Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to alleged Assad or Russian-waged aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported. The shelling, which  hit densely populated residential areas, reportedly caused much civilian harm and damage. Orient News' correspondent reported how both…

Summary

Published
11 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3016

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria
Aerial and artillery shelling of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, wounded two civilians, one woman and one child, local media reported. According to multiple sources, at least one woman and one child were wounded in what Jsirtv described as "heavy air bombardment hit residential neighbourhoods in Kafr Batna." Reportedly, the strikes hit a popular market,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3017

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Two civilian men were killed and several wounded as Saqba in eastern Ghouta, Damascus was struck by aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported. According to Jsirtv, Saqba was subject to "heavy air bombardment hit residential neighbourhoods," which the Syria Civil Defence reported took place during the night. While Zaman-al Wasl only mentioned one fatality, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Civilians were possibly killed and wounded following an Assad or Russian-waged aerial and artillery strike in Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local sources reported. Multiple sources reported about shelling in Harasta, that according to Orient News' correspondent, took place during the night and included "dozens of artillery shells in addition to six surface-to-surface missiles." Jsirtv reported…

Summary

Published
11 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3008

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes struck the eastern town of Jarjanaz, Idlib, reportedly causing several injuries, local media reported. Several sources, such as Step News Agency, reported how multiple Idlib towns were subject to "several air raids with rockets and explosive barrels targeting" on February 10th, including Jarjanaz. However, only Sham News Network who reported…

Summary

Published
10 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3009

Location

ريان, Rayyan, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes struck the town of Rayyan, Idlib, reportedly wounding several civilians, local media reported. Step News Agency reported how multiple Idlib towns were subject to "several air raids with rockets and explosive barrels targeting" on February 10th, including Rayyan. However, it was only Sham News Network who reported about injury of…

Summary

Published
10 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident