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

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1361

Location

Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي بستان القصر
Between three and 13 civilians were reported killed alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least three civilians including a child died due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles firing on Bustan Al Qasr neighborhood in Aleppo city” AleppoAMC…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
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Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1357

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
LCCSY reported four dead civilians as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo. It added that “some people were wounded.” Currently there is no more information available.

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
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Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1360

Location

al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
الهلّك
Between three and four civilians were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Halak neighbourhood of Aleppo. While most sources claimed that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime, a number of outlets reported the strikes were Russian. Syriamubasher wrote: “A woman and two men died as a result of…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
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Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1359

Location

Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria
كرم حومد
Between two and six people were reportedly killed in Russian airstrikes on the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo. Rfsmediaoffice reported: “Our correspondent in Aleppo said that the warplanes bombed the neighborhood of Karam Homad with several rockets, causing the death of three people and a number of wounded, noting that they are trapped under the…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
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Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1358

Location

Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي خان العسل
Between one and three civilians were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Khan Al Assal, a village west of Aleppo. LCCSY reported: “One dead and a number of wounded civilians due to Russian aircraft targeting Khan Al Assal in the western countryside with cluster bombs.” Later, it also…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
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Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1356

Location

Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria
صلاح الدين
Between three and six civilians were reported killed and 20 more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Salahudin in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported "four civilians (three children and their mother) died when alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Salahudin neighborhood in Aleppo city.” Thiqanewsagency and Almawi, among others, reported a lower…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
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