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

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1314

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed by airstrikes in the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to multiple local reports. Several civilians were also wounded, according to @ameeralhalabi and @essamtakly. Halab News referred to one unidentified civilian killed in the raid, as did the Shaam News Network. Some sources referred to the strikes as Russian. For instance,…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1325

Location

الشيخ خضر, al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed in bombings on the neighbourhood of al-Sheikh Khudar in Aleppo on September 23rd, local sources reported. Most outlets reported on the death in similar language to @true_tube, as one of many in “a raid on nearly 30 neighbourhoods.” Halab News' list of martyrs included one entry for an unidentified civilian in…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1326

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 19 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on the Aleppo neighbourhood of al Ferdos, multiple sources reported - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Photographs from various sources appeared to show five casualties. Sources were unclear on the number of casualties, though…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–19
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1327

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between seven and nine civilians died and at least 15 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Aleppo's Al Qaterjo neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. An Al Jazeera report claimed that phosphorus and cluster bombs were used in the attack. @ShbabRevolution tweeted, “seven dead, including a child and about…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1328

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Four or five civilians were killed in alleged Russian raids on the Kafr Hamra neighborhood of Aleppo. Four civilians were named by HNN, including two children and a woman. The first three civilians were also mentioned by name by @NewsFlashAleppo. Microsyria said that attacks by Russian planes “martyred three civilians from one family.” @HalabTodayTV, tweeting…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1313

Location

الحوطة, Al Houta, Aleppo, Syria
Two children and a woman died in strikes on the village of Al Houta, outside Aleppo, local sources reported - though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. @thiqanewsagency identified the names of three victims, two children and one woman.  Other sources, including @SyriaPulse  @SyrianFNN and @DaretezzaMedia,…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident