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

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1710

Location

عينجارة, Anjara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between 10 and 15 civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Anjara. according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) also pointed to the regime. According to SN4HR, who gave the lowest death count: "at least 10 victims died in government…

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1707

Location

باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo's Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, according to local media - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. @shahed_alep reported the use of a barrel bomb, while @zozan46 said that bombs had been dropped by parachutes. HNN listed two unidentified civilians as killed in a…

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1708

Location

الحيدرية, Al Haydariya neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported "an artillery and missile bombardment by regime forces on Al-Haidariya and Al-Sakhour neighborhoods in Aleppo from Sheikh Yusuf hill", but made no mention of civilian harm. However, Halab News listed six unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike on the Al Haydariya neighbourhood.

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1709

Location

طريق الباب, Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo's Tareeq Al Bab neighbourhood, local sources reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "three civilians including a girl died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles firing on Tareeq Al Bab neighborhood in Aleppo city, November 27."…

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1714

Location

حي الحميدية, Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor city, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 30 civilians - many of them named - died and as many as 40 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on a vegetable market in the Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor city. According to Deir Ezzor and Raqqa Legal Network, around five members…

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
25–30
Civilians reported injured
15–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1704

Location

Al Lleiramoun, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that a woman and her child died and another civilian was wounded in an airstrike on Al Lleiramoun. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. According to @SN4HR, "the girl Suhad Hasan Kurdiyeh, from Al Layramoun town in Aleppo governorate, died in government warplanes (allies) missiles fired…

Summary

Published
27 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident