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

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1635

Location

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
As many as six civilians - including women and children - suffocated to death, and up to 19 were injured, when an explosive barrel containing poisonous chloride gas struck the residential neighbourhood named Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged chloride attack. Some sources…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–19
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1622

Location

حي كرم الطراب, Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
On Friday, November 18, 2016, local media reported that two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian bombing of the Karam al Tarab neighbourhood in Aleppo, northwestern Syria. Syriansnews reported that various neighborhoods in Aleppo, including Karam al Tarab, had been hit with artillery bombings and airstrikes on the day of the incident. Halab News…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1636

Location

حي الصاخور, Al Sakhour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Four to six civilians were killed, and up to 24 were wounded in alleged air and artillery strikes on Al Sakhour, Aleppo. Some sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. However, one source blamed both belligerents for this airstrike. There was confusion among sources as to the type of bomb used…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1627

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Bab Al Nairab neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources said that both al electricity station and a civil defense center had been struck - though didn't mention any civilian harm in these particular strikes. According to the Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1630

Location

بلدة عرادة, Arada Town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
As many as seven civilians from one family were killed and more than 13 others injured in an airstrike on the village of Arada in Aleppo, according to local media - though sources remain unclear as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The source Aksalsear News, reported that the family died as a…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1623

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and four civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo's Sukkari neighbourhood, according to local media. Sky News blamed the regime. Halab News listed four unidentified civilians as killed by a Russian raid. A number of other sources said two civilians died.

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident