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

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1776

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that up to seven civilians, including at least one woman, were killed and more than twenty were left wounded following air and/or artillery shelling of Bustan al-Qasr, Aleppo. The sources, however, were unclear as to whether the incident was caused by Russia or the Assad regime. The sources reported the death of between…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1777

Location

معادي, Ma'adi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and seven civilians were killed as warplanes and possibly artillery attacked the neighbourhood of Ma'adi, Aleppo, local sources reported. However, were it was unclear whether the strikes were carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo, that in total killed and…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1778

Location

الانصاري, al-Ansari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that air or artillery strikes killed up four civilians as they struck the neighbourhood of al-Ansari, Aleppo. The responsible belligerent was, however, unclear with one source pointing to the Syrian regime and another two attributing the incident to Russia. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo, that in…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1773

Location

الجلوم, Jalloum, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that six civilians were killed by airstrikes on the neighbourhood of Jalloum, Aleppo - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assda regime were to blame. While two sources pointed blame on Russia, one source explicitly pointed to the Syrian regime. Additionally, @Syria_Tweets reported that "helicopters target Jaloum neighbourhood in old Aleppo with…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1774

Location

باب قنسرين, Bab Qansrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Bab Qansrin neighbourhood, Aleppo, local media reported - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo that day, that in total killed and wounded "dozens" on December 8th 2016,…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1779

Location

حي الكلاسة, al-Kalassa, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that up to nine civilians were killed and a number were left wounded following air and artillery strikes on of al-Kalassa, Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Several sources, such as HalabTodayTV's correspondent, reported that helicopters dropped bombs containing chlorine gas, suffocating "dozens", including children…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident