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

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1650

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
On November 20, 2016, up to 16 civilians, including a family of six with four children, were reportedly killed by aerial shelling containing chlorine gas in the al-Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo. Local sources differ on whether the strike can be attributed to Russia or the Syrian regime. SMART News Agency reported six civilians were killed…

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–15
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1651

Location

جبل بدرو, Jabal Badro, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians from the same family, including a woman, were killed by airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while SPM Syria and several other sources said that helicopters had dropped explosive barrels, meaning the regime could have been responsible. Several sources identified one of…

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–10
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1645

Location

كرم الجبل, Karm al-Jabal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that between one and two civilians were killed and that several more were left injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Karm al-Jabal in Aleppo. All of the sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to Russian warplanes. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1652

Location

حزرما, Hazrama, Damascus, Syria
A woman and her unborn child were killed - and others were wounded - as a result of alleged Russian warplanes which struck a school in Hazramaon, Damascus, the afternoon of Sunday November 20th, according to sources on the ground. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the death of the woman, however some sources do…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1646

Location

ارض الحمرا, Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were reportedly killed and several more were left wounded following two airstrikes targeting Ard al-Hamra, Aleppo, local sources reported - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Syrian regime as the culprit while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1653

Location

النشابية, Al Nashabia, Damascus, Syria
Between one and five children were killed and up to 20 were wounded - including 15 students and four teachers - following an artillery bombardment and airstrikes which struck Al Nashabiya School in Damascus, also named by another source as "Al Karma" Primary, according to local media. Most sources have either not attributed any blame…

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident