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 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1475

Location

الشيخ فارس, Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1468

Location

قطنا, al Qatana, Rif Dimashq, Syria
One or two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qatana neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though some reports said that the regime also carried out strikes in Aleppo during this period, meaning that its involvement can’t be definitively ruled out. Moreover, a number of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1469

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One or two civilians died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according local media.Halab News put the death toll at one and blamed Russia. Smo-sy and @ALAMAWI were among other sources that attributed the event to Moscow. The Smart News Agency reported that “two civilians died…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1470

Location

النزهة, Karam al Nuzha, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Nuzha neighbourhood, local media reported. While most sources blamed Russia, several others noted that the regime was also conducting strikes in Aleppo during this period of time, meaning that it’s involvement can’t be ruled out. According to @dodoo559, “two raids…

Summary

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

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
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1472

Location

الحيدرية, al Haydariya, Aleppo, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident