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 DatePublication Date

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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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

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

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3489

Location

Nawa, Daraa, Syria
نوى
A woman was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Nawa in Daraa, Syria on June 30th, 2018. Violations Documentation Center identified the woman as Amerah Muhammad Kheir al-Johmane.  Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported "The death of a woman and the injury of others as a result…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
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Incident Date

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3490

Location

Ghasam, Daraa, Syria
غصم
Up to 22 civilians including three children, a woman and a civil defense volunteer were killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime double-tap airstrikes on Ghasam in Dara'a, Syria on June 30th, 2018, according to local sources. The sources also added that it was difficult to count the numbers of those…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
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Incident Date

30 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3491

Location

Maaraba, Daraa, Syria
معربة
Up to 17 civilians, 9 of which are from the same family, were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian raids on their houses in Maaraba in Daraa, Syria on June 30th, 2018 according to local sources. Step Agency said "The killing of 14 civilians, including two women and wounding others as a result…

Summary

Published
30 June 2018
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