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

15 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1589

Location

حي الفردوس, Al Fardos, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and six civilians died in suspected Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Al Fardos, Aleppo. Reporting contained discrepencies regarding the toll, the culprit and the munitions used. Spm-Syria suspected the regime responsible for strikes on Al Fardos, however, it reported no civilian casualties. 7al reported "warplanes later bombed al-Firdous neighborhood…

Summary

Published
15 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
0–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1590

Location

قرية عويجل, Aweijal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A named civilian man and two unidentified civilians allegedly died as a result of airstrikes on the Baghdad hospital in Aweijal village, Aleppo, according to multiple local sources. Sources added that a number of medical staff were injured. Annahar cited the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who didn't identify a culprit. Reportedly the attack on…

Summary

Published
15 November 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1591

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib , Aleppo, Syria
Between one and three civilians died in airstrikes on Al Atareb hospital according to multiple local sources. Orient and Al Jazeera and most other sources, blamed Russia for the incident. The hospital is now out of service including the operating rooms and pharmacy according to Al Jazeera who also alleged a number of medical personnel…

Summary

Published
15 November 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1582

Location

دوما, Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
According to LCCSY, "Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes with thermobaric missiles on residential neighborhoods in #Douma where a martyr and several wounded were reported." However, Syria News Desk pointed to the Assad regime, reporting: "a young man was killed and others injured, at dawn today [Nov 14th], in Douma city which is under the control…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1584

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that five civilians from the Hishoum family - a woman and her four children - died and as many as dozens more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Anadan. SMO-SY reported: "According to activists, the Russian aircraft committed a massacre in the city of Anadan in the northern countryside,…

Summary

Published
14 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1585

Location

خان العسل, Khan Assal, Aleppo, Syria
On Monday, November 14, 2015, a woman and her young daughters were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Khan Assal neighborhood of Aleppo, in northwestern Syria. A Facebook user named Aboalhasan Shaar identified the victims in a post. Sawsar Awad al-Hamidi was killed alonside her three little girls, Nour Mohammed Al-Omar, Shahed…

Summary

Published
14 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident