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

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1677

Location

قرية براتة, Barata, Aleppo, Syria
This single-source incident reports that Russian airstrikes killed one child and two women in the village of Barata, Aleppo. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights "at least three civilians (one child and two women) died due to suspected Russian warplanes firing missiles on Barata village in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, November 24, 2016."…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1686

Location

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Following a lethal attack on the village of Marat, Deir Ezzor, the previous day, the village was reportedly struck by airstrikes again on the 24th, resulting in up to five civilian fatalities and several more people being wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Deir Ezzor radio…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1670

Location

الشيخ خضر, Sheikh Khudur, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed and as many as 30 were injured following aerial shelling of the area of Sheikh Khudur, Aleppo. Syria News Desk's correspondent in Aleppo reported that "two civilians killed and more than 30 injured in Russian warplane targeting with a vacuum missile the neighbourhood of Al-Sheikh Khudar which is…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1671

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians were killed and several wounded during aerial shelling of al-Ferdous, Aleppo, local media reported. Some sources reported of "several" victims while most specified that number to six. For instance, Halab Today TV's correspondent reported that: "6 civilians martyred and others injured following air raids on homes in AlFerdos in besieged Aleppo."…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2–19
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1675

Location

جاسم, Jassem, Daraa, Syria
An airstrike, that struck the city of Jassem in Dara'a, reportedly killed up to nine civilians and wounded dozens more, including women and children, local media said. The incident was described by several media as a "massacre". Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Sources reported between five…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1668

Location

المعادي, Al-Ma'adi, Aleppo, Syria
One source, LCCSY, reported that Russian airstrikes killed an unspecified number of civilians in the city of Ma'adi in Aleppo. LCCSY reported that there were "25  martyrs in Aleppo" and that "most of them" occurred due to "Russian airstrikes on the neighborhoods of Maadi andFirdous." No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident