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

RS1633

Location

بلدة حريتان, Hraytan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 10 civilians were killed and "dozens" injured in an airstrike on Hraytan, Aleppo, according to a report by the Step News Agency. Step said: "More than ten killed and dozens injured - most of them women and children - and survivors were pulled out from under the rubble following Russian raids on the…

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

RS1629

Location

دوما, Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Up to 20 civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in air or and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though Syriansnews said that "Russia and Assad" had launched multiple strikes on Damascus, including Douma, on this day. Syrian Reporter said: "Our correspondent in al-Ghouta…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1634

Location

بلدة حيان, Hayyan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Hayyan Town, Aleppo - though it is unclear whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible, with conflicting reports. Civil Defense Personnel named one of the civilians who was killed as Fuad Mohammed Hayek. Some sources, such as Emaratalyoum News reported that it was Assad's regime…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1625

Location

جمعية الهادي, Jami'yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians, a child and an elderly woman, were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jami'yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, according to local media. All of the known sources which attributed the event to a belligerent, reported that Russian warplanes were responsible. Shahba Press reported that the event was Russian air raids, whilst Step News…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1607

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat Al Arteek, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, a child, was killed and others were injured by alleged air or artillery strikes on Maarat Al Arkeet, according to multiple local sources. It was unclear whether Russia or the regime was to blame for the death. Alwaght suspected the Syrian regime responsible - the source stated, "Syrian army missiles and tanks targeted…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1608

Location

ارض الحمرا, Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Eight or nine civilians died and up to dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, according to multiple local sources. While some sources blamed Russia, others accused the regime of dropping barrels of chlorine gas from helicopters. Ara News put the death toll at nine…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident