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

RS1751

Location

حي باب الحديد, Bab al Hadid neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bab al Hadid, Aleppo, according to local media. Ayman Watfa, Step News Agency's correspondent in Aleppo, reported that "six people were killed in the neighbourhood of Bab al Hadid in Russian raids using parachute bombs". Halab News, who placed the death toll…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1761

Location

حي السكري, Al Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were reportedly killed during an alleged Russian airstrike on the al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media sources. Halab News reported that the two unidentified civilians were killed "following Russian enemy raids" on al Sukkari. Whilst Step News Agency corroborated the fact that there were Russian airstrikes in al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1767

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
On December 6, 2016, between 8 and 15 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat Misrin, according to local media. Halab News and Idlib Media Center were among sources that attributed the event to Russia. The majority of reports put…

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1752

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat Al Nasaan, Idlib, Syria
Up to seven civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrikes on Maarat Al Nasaan, according to local media. According to Jisrtv, the fatalities including two women and a girl. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "Three victims including a child died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Ma’aret Al Na’san town in Idlib…

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
1–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1755

Location

حي مساكن الفردوس, Masaken al Ferdos, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians were killed and between 12-15 injured in an airstrike on Masaken al Ferdos, Aleppo according to local media - though it was unclear whether the Russia or Assad regime were responsible. A "massacre" took place in Al Ferdos as the neighbourhood was struck by rocket-propelled grenades, according to Enab Beladi News.…

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1768

Location

مدينة ادلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
On December 6, 2016, eight civilians - including six children - were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on on Al-Arbaeen Street and Maarat Al Nisrin roundabout in the city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria, according to sources on the ground. Misrennabd reported that there had been "four martyrs and 20 wounded…

Summary

Published
6 December 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
1–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident