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

4,431 – 6,522

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 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
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
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

9 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3388

Location

وادي النسيم, Wadi Al Nasim, Idlib, Syria
An unidentified explosion rocked the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Nasim in the city of Idlib, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring up to 150, local sources said. Zeiton News said 12 women and seven children were among 29 killed by a long-range ballistic missile launched from Russian battleships. Additional sources, including a military observatory…

Summary

Published
9 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
10–29
Civilians reported injured
50–154
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3387

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
At least four civilians, including a woman and child, died during “intensive shelling” of the city of Douma, allegedly carried out by Syrian and Russian forces, local sources reported. More than 30 air strikes fell throughout the morning, according to the Euphrates Post, leaving dozens more injured. Gheith Bashar al Kelles, aged 13, was among…

Summary

Published
8 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3385

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
A family was among seven civilians killed as Russian and regime forces reportedly struck the city of Douma. Civil Defense teams said warplanes and helicopters bombed the city with more than 100 raids and an explosive barrel, in addition to rocket and artillery shelling. Sources also reported the use of cluster munitions.

Summary

Published
7 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3386

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
An alleged chemical weapons attack, attributed to both the Syrian regime and Russia, reportedly killed between 42 and 100 civilians and wounded up to 1,200 others in the city of Douma, Damascus governorate, on April 7th, 2018, according to local sources. Enab Baladi wrote that "after a ten-day truce in the city of Douma, the…

Summary

Published
7 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
42–100
Civilians reported injured
700–1200
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3384

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
A “brutal bombardment” by Russian and Syrian forces on the city of Douma killed up to 45 civilians and left at least another 50 wounded, local media reported. At least eight children were reported killed, with some sources claiming up to 100 civilians were wounded, including numerous women and children. Warplanes allegedly struck residential neighbourhoods…

Summary

Published
6 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–45
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3383

Location

مغر الحنطة, Mughr Al-Hunta, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on the village of Mughr Al-Hunta that were widely attributed to Russian forces.  

Summary

Published
6 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident