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

RS1603

Location

الشيخ فارس, Al Sheikh Fares neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians have died in an airstrike on the Al Sheikh Fares neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media - with all three sources blaming Russian warplanes. Photojournalist Zein Al Raifi said that two civilians died in Al Sheikh Fares, but did not apportion any blame. Both Halab News and Shahba Press corroborated this claim…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1605

Location

كفر جالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria
Up to eleven civilians died, including women and children, and more than ten were injured in Kafr Jalis following alleged Russian or regime shelling, according to various local sources. Most sources suspected six civilians killed, however, Syrian News Desk reported seven killed including more than ten injuries. Sky News put the toll at much high,…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1604

Location

ضهرة عواد, Dahat Awad, Aleppo, Syria
Two unidentified civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dahat Awad, Aleppo, according to Halab News' list of martyrs in Aleppo. The entry stated: "unidentified [killed], following Russian enemy raids on Dahra Awad neighbourhood, civilians" An RFS North tweet reported that there were "intensive airstrikes targeting Dhahra Awad", however it does not mention civilian casualties.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1617

Location

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed in air or possibly artillery strikes on Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, according to local media - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Shahba Press reported that two people died and there was "injury of other civilians following Russian raids on the besieged Aleppo." This death toll was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1606

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Five possible civilians reportedly died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo. The Syrian News Desk said 15 others were wounded and blamed Russia. @Assad_wolverine tweeted, "a military officer of the Army of Mujahideen Free Army was killed in an airstrike on his car"- the source did not identify…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–5
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1615

Location

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, named as Qassim Mustafa, died in an air or artillery strike on Masaken Hanano (Aleppo), according to local media - though sources are conflicted as to whether it was Syrian regime or Russian warplanes. Various social media posts stated that Qassim Mustafa was killed by cluster munition bombs. An Al Jazeera correspondent reported…

Summary

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