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

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1609

Location

Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including women and children died in air or artillery strikes on Al Ansari, Aleppo, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Alsharq and the Smart News Agency put the death toll at one, but all other sources said three people died. Baladi and @heba_alhomsy222 both blamed Russia.  Sdusyria…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1610

Location

المعادي, Al Ma'adi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including one child and one woman were reported killed in airstrikes on the al Ma'adi neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to multiple sources. Whilst most sources reported that Russia were responsible for the raid, some have attributed responsibility to the regime. The attack on al Ma'adi was part of a wider raid…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1611

Location

حي بأب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed in a airstrike in Bab al Nayrab, Aleppo, according to local media. It is unclear who was responsible for the attack, with multiple sources citing both Russian and Syrian planes. Three local media sites said that one civilian died in the attack. Halab News says one "unidentified" civilian died "following Russian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1612

Location

قبتان الجبل, Qabtan Al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians, potentially from one family, died in an airstrike on the neighbourhood of Qabtan Al Jabal, Western Aleppo, according to multiple sources. All of the sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes. Local news site, Syria News, put the death toll at one, reporting: "a civilian was killed and six others were wounded by…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1613

Location

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and five civilians were killed in an air raid on the district of Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, according to local media. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, there were also reports that the regime had been active over the neighbourhood on this day. Syria News Desk reported that "at…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1614

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardos neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and seven civilians were killed and up to 15 more wounded in airstrikes on Al Fardos, Aleppo, according to local media. It remains unclear who was responsible for the raid, with conflicting reports. Some said that Russian warplanes struck the area, whilst others suggested the regime was responsible. Syria News Desk pointed to…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident