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

26 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1701

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and seven civilians were killed and more than 10 civilians were injured in airstrikes against the Al Qaterji neighborhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. At the time of reporting of five casualties, civil defense workers were still searching among the rubble for additional bodies or survivors. According to Smart News,…

Summary

Published
26 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1702

Location

كرم الذحان, Karam al Tahan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and seven civilians were killed and dozens of others were wounded in airstrikes against the town of Karm Al Dhaham, Aleppo. In addition to the human cost, the airstrikes reportedly caused extensive physical damage to buildings and homes. The majority of local sources, including Nabd News and @ShahbaPress, attributed the airstrikes to Russian…

Summary

Published
26 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1696

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
HNN listed two unidentified civilians as killed "following Russian enemy raids on Kafr Hamra". @ShahbaPress also put the death toll at two and blamed Russia.  

Summary

Published
26 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1703

Location

معارة الأرتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and four civilians were killed and seven others were injured, including a woman, in airstrikes against the town of Maarat al Arteek in Aleppo. The airstrikes reportedly struck the police station with bunker busting missiles and resulted in the death of a policeman. The consensus among local sources, including @RFS_NORTH and @Syriamubasher, was…

Summary

Published
26 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1697

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Mansoura in the western countryside of Aleppo, local media reported. According to a civil defense official of Hussein al-Masri, "an aerial bombardment by Russian aircraft targeted the Shifa pharmaceutical factory in the town of Al…

Summary

Published
26 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1698

Location

منطقة الكسارة, Al Kassara area in the Sakhour neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and 14 civilians were killed and dozens of others were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes against the Al Kassara area in the Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the low estimate of three deaths while Halab News listed that…

Summary

Published
26 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–14
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident