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

29 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4610

Location

انخل, Ankhil, Daraa, Syria
One civilian, a child, was killed and two other civilians, children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on Inkhil on July 29, 2021. Ikhwan Online reported that the bombing of Inkhil "resulted in the injury of two children". Horrya specified that the injuries of the children were to varying degrees and Dara`a 24 added…

Summary

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

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

24 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4606

Location

بداما, Bidama, Idlib, Syria
Between two and three civilians, including a woman and up to two children, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery strikes on the town of Bidama on July 24, 2021. According to Syrian Civil Defense, "a woman and her child were injured by artillery shelling by the regime and Russia forces targeting residential neighborhoods…

Summary

Published
24 July 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4605

Location

ابلين, Iblin, Idlib, Syria
At least seven civilians, including three to four children and a woman, were killed and seven other civilians, including two children and one to two women, were injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling the morning of July 22, 2021. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "the strikes have killed seven civilians…

Summary

Published
22 July 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2021

Incident Code

RS4604

Location

الطريق الواصل بين بداما و الزعينية, the linking road between Bdama and Al-Za'iniyah, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian, a humanitarian medical worker, was killed and between eight and 19 other civilians, including five children, were injured in a guided missile strike on a car on the road between the towns of Bdama Al-Za’iniyah on July 20, 2021. @RaedAlSaleh3 tweeted "today, we lost our friend “Iyad Al-Lari,” one of the…

Summary

Published
20 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8–19
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident