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

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1800

Location

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria
As many as two civilians were killed - including an unidentified adult male - and more than 20 were injured in airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Zamalaka, according to local media. Sources remain unclear as to who was to blame for the airstrikes. Some sources, including LCCSY, have reported Russian warplanes were to blame for…

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1795

Location

Al-Othmaniya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Civil Defence volunteers were allegedly injured following an airstrike on the volunteer centre in Al-Othmaniya, Aleppo. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the alleged airstrikes, however AMC and LCCSY both blamed Russia.  Additionally, one source - @Aleppojourn - reported "the fall of a number of martyrs" in "bombing by the criminal regime on the village of…

Summary

Published
27 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1796

Location

الجينة, Al-Jinah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Several civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian  rocket strikes which targeted Al-Jinah, Aleppo, local media said. There were no reports of civilian deaths.  Footage shows that not only were residential homes destroyed in the alleged raid, but  Osman bin Affan mosque was also partially destroyed. @AnasAlhage, reported that two rockets were fired on the village. …

Summary

Published
27 December 2016
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1797

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
On December 27, 2016, as many as three civilians, including a child, were killed, and several others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes which occured near the Shuaib Mosque, in the densely populated residential neighborhood of Al-Qusour, in the west of the city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria. All sources attributed blame to Russia for…

Summary

Published
27 December 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1793

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and eleven civilians - six reportedly from the same family - were killed in an aerial bombardment which struck a residential neighbourhood in Al Atarib, Aleppo, local media reported. Dozens were also said to have been wounded in the strikes. Two men, two women and five named children were reported as killed by the…

Summary

Published
24 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1794

Location

العاكولة شرقية, Al A'kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
As many as four civilians - including two girls and two women - were killed due to alleged Russian warplane shelling on Al A'kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes.  Must be noted the two children from the Zgeer family are also mentioned in RS1792, an airstrike on Al Atarib, Aleppo. It is unclear where…

Summary

Published
24 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident