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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1471

Location

Bab al Nasr, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Bab al Nasr neighbourhood, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though several also pointed towards the Syrian regime. A number of other reports didn’t identify the culprit, saying that both Russia and the regime were carrying out strikes on Aleppo – including on Bab…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
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Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1472

Location

al Haydariya, Aleppo, Syria
الحيدرية
At least one civilian died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Haydariya neighbourhood, local sources reported. According to Syrian Press Center, “the Russian air force on Sunday [Oct 16th] launched rock-based attacks on the neighborhoods of Haidariyah, Bab al-Nayrab, Sheikh Fares, Karam al-Tarab, al-Miser, Dahra Awwad,…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
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Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1473

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though one said that the Syrian regime was active in Aleppo’s skies on this day, meaning its involvement in this casualty event can’t be ruled out. Halab News listed seven unidentified civilians as killed in a…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
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Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1474

Location

Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
القاطرجي
In a major civilian casualty event, up to 31 civilians including at least nine children and five women from several families died and as many as 70 more were wounded in multiple airstrikes on residential buildings in Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Many sources blamed Russia for the event, though several also…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
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Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1475

Location

Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria
الشيخ فارس
Between five and eight civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Sheikh Faress neighbourhood, according to local media. LCCSY and Halab News were among sources attributing the event to Russia, and putting the death count at five civilians. According to Mojahedin: “the Civil Defence was able to lift 5 martyrs from the rubble…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
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Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1465

Location

Karam al Tarab, Aleppo, Syria
Two or more civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground, Only @Free_TV_SYRIA gave specific casualty figures of two killed – and blamed Russia. Other sources reported an unspecified number of deaths an injuries, mainly referring only…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
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