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

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1765

Location

Aguil, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian raids on Aguil, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged raids.  Only one source put the death toll as high as 12, one other putting it at two and most others four. According to sources, vacuum missiles were used in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1766

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria
Up to eight civilians were killed and 15 injured in multiple airstrikes on Kafr Sajna, according to local media - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Step News, who put the death toll at four with a "number" of injuries, reported that "warplanes launched four airstrikes with surface rockets…

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1749

Location

حي الصالحين, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven people were reportedly killed in an airstrike on al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to local media source Halab News. According to the source, the seven civilians died "following Russian enemy raids on al Salheen". There were no other known sources with information regarding this incident.

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1750

Location

حي قارلق, Karlak neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians were reportedly killed in airstrike on Karlak neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to local media source, HNN. HNN reported that the five civilians died "following Russian enemy raids". There were no other known sources reporting on this incident.

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1760

Location

كفر نوران, Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One adult male was killed, and the rest of his family was injured, in an alleged Russian raid which targeted a residential area and a school in Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, according to local media. All sources blamed Russia, which reportedly carried out four raids on the vicinity.  According to a sources, the aerial bombardment caused extensive…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1754

Location

سَرْمِين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
Between five and 10 civilians, including three to five children, a woman, and three men, were killed and at least 15 others were injured in airstrikes against the town of Sarmin in Idlib, according to sources on the ground - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The…

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident