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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1437

Location

Jobar, Damascus, Syria
جوبر‎
Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1433

Location

Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي خان العسل
Two civilians were reported killed and “many” more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Al Assal near Aleppo. Shahba wrote that “two were killed and many civilians wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Khan Al-Assal in the western countryside of Aleppo.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Halab News also reported two…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
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Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1432

Location

Souran, Aleppo, Syria
صوران
Three civilians were reported killed in either Russian, Turkish or ISIS artillery shelling on Souran near Aleppo. Baladi wrote that “three civilians were killed due to artillery shelling by ISIS in Souran.” However, according to Syrian Mirror, “three women were killed in Turkish artillery shelling in Souran north of Aleppo.” The Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
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Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1436

Location

Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
القاطرجي
One or two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on the Al Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo. HNN reported one woman was killed by a missile. Qasioun said that “Russian warplanes shelling Qaterji killed two civilians while the White Helmets are still searching for survivors in the rubble.” Other sources published…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
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Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1431

Location

al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria
الزربة
Six named civilians from the same family, including two children, died in an airstrike on the town al-Zirba in Aleppo, according to local media - though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center “regime warplanes shelled Zirba after midnight, killing four civilians…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
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Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1429

Location

Karam al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
حي كرم الجبل
According to local sources, the city of Karam al-Jabal in Aleppo was struck by artillery strikes that led to the deaths of three civilians. All sources but one - Shaam News Network (who blamed both Russia and the regime) pointed to the regime as the culprit. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights "three…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
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