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

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1680

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya , Damascus, Syria
Local media reported that airstrikes (possibly also artillery) struck an area near a school in the city of Hamouriya, Damascus, killing and injuring several civilians, including a high number of children. Reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Several civilians (between one and two) were reportedly…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1681

Location

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that the al-Maysar neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo was struck by air and artillery strikes, resulting in the death of up to 15 civilians, including children and one woman. Dozens more people were reportedly injured. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Besides few…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
14–15
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1682

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between nine and 25 civilians, including children and women, were killed and up to 30 more wounded, as a result of aerial shelling in the Aleppo neighbourhood of Al Mashad local sources reported. Sources varied regarding the number of fatalities, with the lowest at five and highest reported by ShahbaPress at 25. Several sources reported…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–25
Civilians reported injured
6–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1683

Location

الشعار, Al Shia'ar , Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians were killed, including one woman, and several more were wounded, including children, following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Aleppo's Al-Sha'ar neighbourhood, local sources reported. AleppoAMC reported that "martyrs and wounded and burned people were under  the rubble as a result  helicopter gunships targeting the Al-Sha'ar neighborhood east of Aleppo". Several sources reported…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1684

Location

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria
One named civilian man was reportedly killed and several more were wounded by airstrikes targeting the al-Mowasalat neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported. While most sources blamed Russia for the civilian harm, there was also an allegations against the Assad regime. The incident was reportedly part of a wider shelling of neighbourhoods in Aleppo that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1685

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Multiple sources reported that airs or artillery strikes targeting the Bab al-Nayrab area of Aleppo killed up to nine civilians, including two children and one woman - and wounded many more. Reports were conflicted whether this was the work of Russia or helicopters dropping barrel bombs belonging to the Assad regime. The death toll varied…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident