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

16 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1598

Location

حي الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two to five civilians died in airstrikes on Al Fardous, Aleppo. The strikes on the neighbourhood took place among many more strikes across Aleppo on November 16th. The majority of sources reported that Russia responsible - however some sources pointed towards the Syrian regime. Sdusyria claimed two people died, as did Syria News Desk. However @mhmdfaisel…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1599

Location

باتبو, Batbo, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
In what sources referred to as "a terrible massacre", 22 named civilians, including children, died in an an airstrike on Batbo, Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, however, a small number mentioned the regime - 24Aleppo, for example, alleged both parties culprit.  According to Qasioun, "at least 38" civilians were injured…

Summary

Published
16 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
22–40
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1600

Location

الشعار, Al Shia'ar , Aleppo, Syria
Up to twelve civilians died following alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on the Al Shia'ar neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, cited in Welat-press, "helicopters of the Syrian regime targeted the [neighbourhood with] explosive barrels on Wednesday morning, resulting in a number of wounded". The majority of…

Summary

Published
16 November 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Civilians reported injured
5–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1601

Location

حي الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One to two civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to multiple local media outlets. Horrya News reported one civilian killed, as did the sources, Syrian News Desk and @ahdath. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1595

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
One young civilian male or child died in Darat Ezza, Aleppo, "as a result of the explosion of one of the remnants of cluster bombardment", according to multiple local sources. An unknown number of civilians were also injured in the event, according to All4Syria. It was unclear who was responsible for his death - as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1596

Location

السميرية, Al Samiriya, Aleppo, Syria
Two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village Al Samiriya, Aleppo, according to local sources. @Syriamubasher1 reported one child died, whilst @ShahbaPress reported the death of one child and the injury of two other children from one family. Both sources blamed Russia.  @RasdAgency reported two children killed and two more injured. SCDAleppo…

Summary

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