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

6 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2849

Location

مديرا, Madyra, Damascus, Syria
One or two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Madyra in Damascus, according to local media. Syrian Reporter and Alghad-alsoury put the death toll at two. According to Shaam, "Al-Assad and Russian planes targeted civilian houses deliberately and directly in the eastern towns and villages of Al-Ghouta…

Summary

Published
6 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2850

Location

كفريا, Kafraya, Idlib, Syria
Between two and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in air and artillery strikes which hit the town of Kafraya in Idlib. Sources mostly blamed the Syrian regime, however Shaam News Network blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. According to sources, 120 rockets were used to strike the vicinity,…

Summary

Published
6 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2855

Location

عجاز, Ajaz, Idlib, Syria
An elderly woman was killed in a suspected Russian and Syrian regime airstrike on Ajaz, Idlib. Most sourced blamed the Syrian regime, however Shaam News Network blamed both the regime and Moscow for the raids. There are no reports of wounded civilians however sources reported that the village was on fire, so we can assume…

Summary

Published
6 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2856

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
A woman was killed and more than 25 civilians were injured in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Harasta. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids, with some sources also reporting that there had been fighting on the ground between factions. One source mentioned that there were…

Summary

Published
6 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2853

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between two and six civilians including a child died and "a large number" more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strikes on Arbeen, according to sources on the ground. Alraafed, cutting the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported  "the killing of 12 civilians, including two children in Hmouriyeh, and three…

Summary

Published
6 January 2018
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
5–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2854

Location

مسرابا, Masraba, eastern Al Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Air and artillery strikes on Masraba wounded up to 15 civilians - and killed one child, according to sources on the ground. Reports blamed both Russia and the Assad regime. According to Geiroon News, "medical staff tried within half an hour to revive a baby, who was pulled from the rubble, but did not succeed, and…

Summary

Published
6 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident