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

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3482

Location

Nawa, Daraa, Syria
نوى
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the city of Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, civilians were injured and killed. @abode125 tweeted that "Russian aviation targeted the city of Nawa and Tafas in the western countryside of Dara'a." Step News posted a video of the damage after the…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3478

Location

Tal Shihab, Daraa, Syria
تل شهاب
Two male civilians were killed in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on the town of Tal Shihab on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. @asfyhbjinnkhvgz reported the deaths of Ayman Ahmed Al Amyan and journalist Ali Al Rifai Abu Hussein in Tal Shihab. Hamza Al Shaheed wrote on Facebook that Al Rifai had been killed in…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3481

Location

Um Al Miathin, Daraa, Syria
ام المياذن
Local sources reported a number of killed and injured civilians in Um Al Miathin in Daraa, Syria on June 29th, 2018 as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes. Shaam Network said "The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3480

Location

Eastern Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
الغارية الشرقية
Local sources reported deaths and injuries among civilians as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Eastern Ghariya in Daraa on June 29th, 2018. Shaam Network reported that "The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3479

Location

Western Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
الغارية الغربية
Local sources reported deaths and injuries among civilians in Western Ghariya in Daraa on June 29th, 2018. Shaam Network said that "The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighborhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafs, Kahil, Sheikh Saad,…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3488

Location

Sayda, Daraa, Syria
صيدا
At least two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Sayda in the eastern suburbs of Dara'a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was possibly injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "at least two…

Summary

Published
29 June 2018
View Incident