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

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1466

Location

جزرايا, Jazaria, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 20 civilians including a child and two women died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Jazaria village, according to sources on the ground. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least four civilians including one girl and two women died due to…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1467

Location

ترمانين, Termamin, Aleppo, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians died and up to 25 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Termamin town, according to local sources. The lowest death count was given by @NewsFlashNet at at least nine. RevoSpring said that 10 people died, while Halab News joined most sources in putting the figure…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
12–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1458

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians died and up to 12 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local sources. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck. The majority of sources attributed the deaths to Russia, though one report also said that the regime had carried out strike on Aleppo…

Summary

Published
14 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1459

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two or three civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. LCCSY put the death toll at two, though the Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights were among the majority of sources saying that at…

Summary

Published
14 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1451

Location

al Tamana, Idlib, Syria
One woman died and three other civilians including two children were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Al Tamana’a town, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported that “Russian planes launched several raids using bunker-busting missiles after mid night targeting al Taman’a town in southern Idlib, killing…

Summary

Published
13 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident