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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3507

Location

Tasil, Daraa, Syria
تسيل
Up to four civilians were reported killed and a number of others were wounded in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Taseel in Dara'a on July 17th, 2018 according to local sources. @Step_Agency tweeted "Warplanes launched several airstrikes targeting the town of Taseel, which is under the control of the Islamic State, in…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
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Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3506

Location

Nawa, Daraa, Syria
نوى
Local sources reported that more than 19 people including women and children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Nawa in Dara'a governorate on July 17th, 2018. Local sources reported that the attacks on Nawa happened with dozens of raids with explosive barrels, cluster bombs and rocket attacks. For…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
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Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3505

Location

A'liya, Daraa, Syria
العالية
Up to four civilians were reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on A'liya in Quneitera, Syria on July 17th, 2018. Middle East Online (MEO) said "Another civilian was killed in Russian raids targeting the town of A'liya in the western countryside of Daraa at the administrative border with…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
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Incident Date

17 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3504

Location

Ein al-Teena, Quneitra, Syria
عين التينة
At least eight civilians, including women and children, were reported killed and many others injured when Russian forces or Syrian regime forces attacked with airstrikes a school used as a shelter for IDPs in Ein al-Teena in Quneitra, Syria on July 17th, 2018. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said " At least eight civilians,…

Summary

Published
17 July 2018
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Incident Date

16 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3503

Location

A’kraba, Daraa, Syria
عقربا
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on A’kraba, Dara'a governorate on July 16th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured. According to the Smart News Agency, “activists said three civilians were killed and others injured in an airstrike with rockets likely to be on the town of…

Summary

Published
16 July 2018
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Incident Date

8 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3502

Location

Um Al Mayadhen, Daraa, Syria
أم المياذن
Up to three civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Al Mayadhen, Dara'a governorate, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of people was injured. @omar_hariri_dr wrote: "Two martyrs up to this moment and a large number of wounded by the Russian airstrikes on the town of Um Al…

Summary

Published
8 July 2018
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