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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1415

Location

Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria
بستان الباشا
Between one and eight civilians including a woman died and dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Bustan Al-Basha, Aleppo, according to local media. The Syrian Organization for the Defense of Human Rights reported that “eight martyrs so far and dozens wounded in Bustan Al-Basha  due to warplanes shelling. The…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
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Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1416

Location

al Mouwasalat, Aleppo, Syria
المواصلات
Local media reported the death of one civilian woman in the al-Mouwasalat area of Aleppo as a consequence of aerial shelling - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime caused her death. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and Assad’s warplanes continued their air raids on the city of Aleppo and…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
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Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1418

Location

Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي خان العسل
According to local sources, the Khan al-Assal area in Aleppo was subject to warplane shelling, leading to the deaths of up to three civilians though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime caused the civilian harm. The twitter account @Aleppo reported that the strikes hit a funeral gathering. Meanwhile, the Syrian…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
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Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1414

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
خان الشيح‬
According to local media, the Khan al-Sheikh camp was subject to intense aerial or artillery shelling, leading to the death of up to three civilians including a child. Two other people were reportedly wounded in the attack, which reports blamed on either Russia or the Assad regime. There were claims that a field hospital and…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
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Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1413

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Five civilians including a woman and a child died in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. A further 20 non-combatants were claimed wounded. Syria News Desk reported: “five civilians: a child, a disabled man, an old man, a woman and a young man children and disabled and elderly…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
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Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1410

Location

al Shifonia, Damascus, Syria
الشفونية
One civilian died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground. SRV News reported that  “one person was killed and others injured following Russian air raids on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta”. According…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
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