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

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1640

Location

قاضي عسكر, Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria
Up to eight civilians, including two children and two women, were reportedly killed and more than 20 were wounded due to alleged Russian or joint Russian-Syrian regime shelling of Qadi Askar, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most sources reported that eight civilians were killed by the airstrikes, while just one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights,…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1643

Location

باب الحديد, Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly killed in an air or artillery strike on the Bab al-Hadid neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to a single source. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: "at least four victims died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Bab Al Hadeed neighborhood in Aleppo city, November 19, 2016." There were few…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1641

Location

الصاخور, al-Sakhour, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that several civilians were killed and injured following Russia or Assad regime airstrikes targeting the city of al-Sakhour, Aleppo. Sources did not provide detailed information about the victims, and most sources merely referred to 'several' or 'numbers' of killed and wounded. However, several reports mentioned that the city had been struck by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1644

Location

مرج الزهور, Marj Al Zuhur, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Airstrikes, targeting the village of Marj al-Zuhour in the countryside of Idlib, killed up to nine civilians, reportedly from the same family, including one woman and three children, and injured up to another 24. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Most sources put the death…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1642

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and as many as 15 more were injured following airstrikes targeting al-Fardous, Aleppo, local sources reported.  The sources were, however, not clear as to whether the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame for the strikes. Sources reported that between two and four…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1621

Location

حي جسر الحج, Jisr al Haj neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Halab News listed two unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike in Jisr al Haj neighbourhood, Aleppo. @ShahbaPress and @Syrianewstime also tweeted that two civilians were killed by Russian warplanes. However, @rola1katib, @RfsNorth, @alepponow1 all reported that helicopters had dropped barrel bombs on the neighbourhood, meaning that regime involvement can't be ruled out.  

Summary

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