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

4 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1739

Location

حي الفردوس, Al Fardous neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that a mother and her three children died in Aleppo's Al Fardous neighbourhood. The majority of sources blamed a Russian airstrike, however, there was also a claim that a tank shell caused the deaths. Husseintalal reported that "a baby girl lost her father, mother and brothers by aerial bombardment of the Russian…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1737

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
In a major civilian casualty event, up to 38 civilians including as many as 11 children died and dozens more were wounded when alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes struck a major vegetable market in the town of Maarat al Numan. Sources said that the strike occurred at 2.45pm, when the market - which also…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
33–38
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1734

Location

حي المغاير, Al Maghayer neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime strikes on Aleppo's Al Maghayer neighbourhood, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among sources blaming Russia. However, the BBC pointed to the regime, reporting: "The armed opposition said government aviation continued its raids on the eastern…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1735

Location

قرية أورم الصغرى, Urma al Sughra village, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that three children died and an unspecified number of other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Urma al Sughra village. However, only one source - Halab News - explicitly blamed Russia, reporting the use of bunker-busting missiles. Other sources did not apportion blame.

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1738

Location

حي السكري, Al Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and eight civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Aleppo's Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. The lowest death count was give as five civilians - with seven more wounded - by the White Helmets. According…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1733

Location

حي الشعار, Al Shia’ar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and eight civilians died and a dozen or more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Aleppo's Al Shia'ar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Arab24, "the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that three people were killed and about 12 others were injured on Saturday [Dec 3rd] by the bombing…

Summary

Published
3 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident