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

5 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3499

Location

Nasib, Daraa, Syria
نصيب
An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Nasib, Dara'a governorate, 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…

Summary

Published
5 July 2018
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Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3864

Location

Banss, Aleppo, Syria
بانص
Smart News Agency reported that two civilians were wounded in the explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb from a previous Russian forces and Syrian regime bombing in Banss, 55 km south of Aleppo, Syria on July 4th, 2018. Also @24Aleppo tweeted that "two people were injured due to the explosion of a cluster bombs…

Summary

Published
4 July 2018
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Incident Date

3 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3496

Location

Armanaz, Idlib, Syria
أرمناز
Local sources reported that one child was killed, and another injured as a result of the explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb in Armanaz, northwest Idlib on July 3rd, 2018. The munitions are suspected to be the remnants of Russian or Syrian airstrikes. Smart News stated that “local activists said the bomb exploded while…

Summary

Published
3 July 2018
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Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3493

Location

Maaraba, Daraa, Syria
معرّبة
A single source reported 14 killed, including two women, in alleged Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the town of Maaraba, east of Daraa. Step News Agency also reported the wounding of “others” in the strikes.

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
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Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3495

Location

Tafas, Daraa, Syria
طفس
Four people were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Tafas in Daraa, Syria on July 1st, 2018. Violations Documentation Center in Syria said that Jihad Qaseem al-Horani, Moaz Jaber al-Rebdawi, Hosain Ali al-Bardan and Mohammad Ahmad al-Natoura, all  civilians from Tafas, were killed in Russian forces or Syrian regime and…

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
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Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

RS3494

Location

Al-Musayfrah, Daraa, Syria
المسيفرة
An elderly woman was reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al-Musayfrah in Dara'a on July 1st, 2018 according to local sources. Hajja Aisha Muhammad Taha Al-Zoubi was reported killed. Fatima Hamidi posted on Facebook "The martyrdom of hajja Aisha Al-Muhammad in the town of Al-Musayfrah, after her body was found…

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
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