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

RS1780

Location

الفردوس, Al Ferdos, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Airstrikes on Aleppo's Al Ferdos neighbourhood killed three civilians, local sources reported - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo, that in total killed and wounded "dozens" on December 8th 2016, Aletihad Press News reported. According to…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1775

Location

الأتارب, al-Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that a seven-months-old child, identified as Mahmoud al Said, died from a heart attack triggered by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atarib Aleppo.  @khaleedalkhteb reported that the child "was killed by a heart attack from the intensity of fear and panic after the brutal Russian shelling near his home". Another source added that…

Summary

Published
8 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1772

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Twelve civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo's Al Kalassa neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "12 victims died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Al Kalasa neighborhood in Aleppo city, December 7, 2016." LCCSY also put the death toll at 12 and blamed Russia. Halab…

Summary

Published
7 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1770

Location

حي المعادي, Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and eight civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo's Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, sources on the ground reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "four victims died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Al Ma’adi neighborhood in Aleppo city, December 7, 2016.". However, other sources - Syria Mubasher, LCCSY, and Syria rev…

Summary

Published
7 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1771

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Two named civilians died and two more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan in the northern Aleppo countryside, according to sources on the ground. Syria Mubasher, Abu Taym Al-Halabi, and Syria rev news said that one civilian had died. Halab News noted the use of cluster bombs, while LCCSY said that "several bunker-busting missiles" were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1759

Location

السحارة, Al Sahara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed and others were wounded in four alleged raids on Al Sahara, Aleppo. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming Russian warplanes and others blaming the Syrian regime.  Most sources reported that phosphorous bombs and cluster bombs were used in the attack. Additionally, one source claimed that the…

Summary

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