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
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

8 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3501

Location

Gharaz, Daraa, Syria
غرز
Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes in Gharaz, Dara'a governorate, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was wounded. Several sources, such as @Wesal_TV, reported that four civilians were killed and others were wounded by airstrikes targeting the Gharaz area, east of Dara'a. While most sources…

Summary

Published
8 July 2018
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Incident Date

8 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3876

Location

Tareeq Al Sad, Daraa, Syria
قرب حي طريق السد
One or two civilians were reportedly killed in the plains surrounding Dara'a Al Balad when the region was hit by seven strikes, allegedly launched from Russian warplanes, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. Two others were injured. Shaam News Agency wrote that "in violation of the cease-fire agreement, a Russian warplane launched seven…

Summary

Published
8 July 2018
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Incident Date

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3498

Location

Um Al Mayadhen, Daraa, Syria
أم المياذن
Up to ten civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Um Al Mayadhen on July 5th, 2018, according to sources on the ground. @Step_Agency reported that "eight people, including a member of the Civil Defense, were killed as a result of the aerial bombardment targeting the town of Um Al Mayadhen, east of…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
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Incident Date

5 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3871

Location

Jisir Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Two civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in the vicinity of the city of Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 5th, 2018, according to Edlib Media Center. EMC reported "two civilian casualties as a result of the targeting of the Russian occupation aircraft around the city of Jisr Al Shughour in the…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
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Incident Date

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3497

Location

Sayda, Daraa, Syria
صيدا
Six civilians, including four children, of the same family, were reportedly killed in suspected Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sayda, Dara'a governorate, on July 5th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News reported that “more than 25 Russian airstrikes targeted the town on Thursday morning [July 5th]”, killing the family who was “displaced from…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
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Incident Date

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3500

Location

Dara'a, Daraa, Syria
درعا‎
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on neighbourhoods in Dara'a city on July 5th, 2018, according to Step Agency. Step News reported that "Russian warplanes intensified raids since the morning on the liberated neighbourhoods of the city of Dar'aa and the towns of Naseeb and Um Al Mayathen in…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
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