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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

31 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4614

Location

درعا البلد, Daraa Al Balad, Daraa, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian/regime/Iranian strikes on Daraa Al Balad on July 31, 2021. @mohammed_asakra and Horan Free Media reported that civilians were injured but did not specify how many civilians. Images posted by Horan Free Media show extensive damage to civilian homes caused by the shelling. The majority of sources…

Summary

Published
31 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4613

Location

زيزون, Zayzun, Hama, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the village of Zayzun on July 30, 2021. According to @Step_Agency, "a civilian was injured as a result of artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces on the village of Zayzoun". Various other sources also identified one civilian as being injured. Baladi News…

Summary

Published
30 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4609

Location

Dara'a Al Balad, Daraa, Syria
Between one and six civilians were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Daraa al-Balad on July 29, 2021. According to Syria TV, "the death toll of civilians as a result of the bombing of the neighborhoods of Daraa al-Balad by the regime forces has risen to two after the…

Summary

Published
29 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4608

Location

جاسم, Jassim, Daraa, Syria
Between one and two civilians were killed and others were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on the city of Jassim on July 29, 2021. According to @MasarPressNet, "two civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of artillery shelling by Assad forces on the city of Jassim". @DeirEzzore added that…

Summary

Published
29 July 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4612

Location

دَرْعَا‎, Daraa, Daraa, Syria
The journalist Atef Al-Saadi was injured while covering the conflict in Daraa by alleged Russian or regime strikes on July 29, 2021. According to @Nabel_othman023, "the revolutionary journalist, Atef Al-Saadi, was injured due to the shelling and clashes in Daraa". @FARED_ALHOR identified Atef as being a photographer. @syria1agency added that Atef was injured "while covering…

Summary

Published
29 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4611

Location

طفس, Tafas, Daraa, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and five others were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Tafas on July 29, 2021. @tommycats4 tweeted that "one person was killed and a number of wounded in the city of Tafas, west of Daraa, as a result of artillery shelling on the city by the Assad…

Summary

Published
29 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident