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

22 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1665

Location

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and five civilians were killed - including three children and a woman - and as many as dozens more were wounded in an alleged airstrike which struck Al Maysar, Aleppo on the morning of the 22nd. There is conflicted reporting on who was to blame for the alleged airstrikes, with sources such as…

Summary

Published
22 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
8–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1666

Location

المعادي, Al Ma'adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and nine civilians - including one child - were killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on the Al Ma'adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the raid, except Halab News Network (HNN), who said that Russia was responsible. Additionally, all sources except…

Summary

Published
22 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1667

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamneh, Hama, Syria
As many as nine civilians were killed - and up to 10 or more were wounded - in alleged airstrikes which struck Al Latamneh. According to sources the initial death toll was six, however this rose throughout the day. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raids. Some sources attributed blame…

Summary

Published
22 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1658

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and nine civilians - including one woman - were killed, and as many as 24 were wounded when barrel bombs were reportedly dropped on a six story building in Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. Some sources attributed the blame to Syrian regime "helicopters", while others blamed Russian…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1659

Location

حي الشعار, Al Shia'ar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed - allegedly from the same family - and some were wounded in an air and artillery strike, which one source described as a "barbaric bomb attack", on Al Shia'ar, Aleppo. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blame Russian warplanes for the airstrikes, while others such…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1660

Location

كرم نزهة, Karam Nuzha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Karam Nuzha, Aleppo. Most sources attributed blame to both belligerents suggesting the aerial bombardment was possibly a joint effort. However, LCCSY blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Although no reports specifically named the number of wounded, according to…

Summary

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