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

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3002

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported that between two and five civilians were killed and six were wounded as alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes launched airstrikes and artillery in the suburb of Harasta in eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Syrianoor reported that several cities in eastern Ghouta were subject to aerial shelling on February 8th, causing the "death and injury of…

Summary

Published
8 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2997

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
According to local media, three civilians were wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime carried out aerial and artillery strikes in Lataminah, Hama. A civil defence member told Smart News Agency that what he believed was Russian warplanes had launched four air raids while the Assad regime had launched 40 artillery and missile shells. Both Smart…

Summary

Published
8 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3003

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
According to local reports, three civilians, most likely two children and one woman, were killed and up to dozens were wounded as Russian and/or Assad warplanes launched air raids in Saqba town in eastern Ghouta, Damascus. The strikes, which Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) described as "heavy night raids", left large parts of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2998

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Three volunteers from the Civil Defence were reportedly killed and another four wounded as alleged Russian warplanes, possibly in coordination with the Assad regime, carried out aerial shelling of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, local media said. The strike reportedly both hit the al-Rahma Hospital and a Civil Defence centre, rendering both inoperable. Edlib Media Center, for…

Summary

Published
8 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3004

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
As many as six civilians, including one child, were killed and up to dozens were wounded as alleged Russian and/or Assad warplanes launched a series of air raids in Hamouriya in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strike, described by Local Coordination Committees of Syria, as "heavy night raids" hit a popular market and…

Summary

Published
8 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2995

Location

Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported one civilian was killed and several were left wounded as alleged Russian airstrikes hit a grain production in Saraqeb, Idlib. Footage from the aftermath of the incident showed how the area, containing a farm for grain production, was struck and largely left destroyed. Among the sources that reported the death toll, all reported one…

Summary

Published
8 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Factory)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident