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

RS1631

Location

كفر ناصح, Kafr Nasseh, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and between five and ten wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Nasseh, Aleppo. Syria News Desk reported that "a civilian was killed and five others wounded by Russian aviation raids targeting the town of Kafr Nasseh with cluster bombs." Whilst the source Aleppo AMC also reported that…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1626

Location

الشعار, Al Shia'ar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike which struck Al-Bayan Surgical Hospital in Al-Sha'ar neighborhood, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources have attributed blame to the Syrian regime for the alleged airstrikes, and others have blamed Russian warplanes. At least one elderly man was reported wounded, however, others sources…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1624

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Halab News named one victim, Yunus Ali Abd al Rahman (also named by Hamza AlYousuf) as killed in a Russian strike on Kafr Naha, Aleppo. However, Halab News was the only outlet that directly accused Russia of carrying out raids; other sources didn't apportion blame.

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1632

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaqid Al Adas Village, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and dozens wounded in a raid of concussion rockets on Yaqid Al Adas, Aleppo, according to multiple sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Khalid al-Qasim, a field activist in Northern Aleppo, told Ara News that the death toll was…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1637

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
As many as ten civilians were killed - and dozens more were wounded - in alleged air and artillery strikes which struck Salheen, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the raids. However, one local…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1628

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and ten civilians including a woman and up to three children died and as many as 17 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to Russia, putting the death toll…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–10
Civilians reported injured
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident