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

RS1762

Location

حي المعادي, Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on the al Ma'adi neighbourhood of Aleppo - though it is unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Halab News reported that the three unidentified civilians were killed "following Russian enemy raids" on al Ma'adi. Whilst other sources confirmed that there were airstrikes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1753

Location

ساحة بزة, Bazza Square, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians from one family (a man, his wife and their four sons) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo's  Bazza square, according to local media. The victims, from the Walid Khasim family, were named by Halab News and the Violations Documentation Center. Both of these sources attributed the deaths to Russia.

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1763

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One person was killed and several others were wounded in an alleged raid on a market place in Al Atarib, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some blaming Russian warplanes and others the Syrian regime.  According to sources, there was extensive damage due to missiles and cluster bombs.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1756

Location

البوابية, Al Bawabiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and seven civilians were killed, and many others were wounded, in a continuous bombardment on Al Bawabiya, Aleppo. Sources are however, were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attribute the blame to Russian warplanes, and others to the Syrian regime. One source blames both belligerents. Syrianpc reported that the raid was both…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1769

Location

حَاسٌّ, Haas, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians - a woman and a child - died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Haas, according to local media. The Shaam News Network reported: "Today, [Dec 6th] violent Russian raids deliberately targeting civilians led to the fall of four martyrs and a number of wounded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1757

Location

حي الجلوم, Al Jalloum neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 15 civilians, including six children and two women, were killed in an airstrike on Al Jalloum, Aleppo - whilst a "number" were wounded, according to local media. All of the known sources attributed responsibility for the event to Russian jets. Syrian Press Center reported that "the warplanes launched intensive airstrikes on Monday [6th]…

Summary

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