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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1336

Location

Ard Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
ارض الحمرا
Between five and 25 civilians died and up to another 25 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Ard Hamra neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. HNN named two of the victims, and added that six others were unidentified. All4Syria reported the highest casualty count with 25 saying: “The largest number of victims…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1337

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
Between three and 15 civilians were reported killed and ten more injured in airstrikes on the Al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several reports said that barrel bombs had been dropped on the neighbourhood – a weapon known to be used by the Syrian regime. HNN named two victims.…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1338

Location

Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria
كرم حومد
Between one and eight civilians were killed and as many as 22 more injured in airstrikes in Karam Homad in Aleppo, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The lowest death count was given by Almustaqbal and Zamanmasdar at one…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1339

Location

Kallasa, Aleppo, Syria
الكلاسة
Between four and nine civilians including one child died in airstrikes on the Kallassa and Maysar neighbourhoods of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible. LCCSY reported that “Russia’s and Assad’s warplanes conducted airstrikes on the eSufun al Samanastern neighborhoods of Aleppo”…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1340

Location

Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي باب النيرب
Five named civilians from the same family, including three children, died as result of either Russian or Syrian regime airstrike in the Bab Nayrab neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. CNN reported that civilian infrastructure was destroyed in the strike: “As a result of heavy shelling last night, Bab Nayrab station, which provides water…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1341

Location

Bustan al Bashr, Aleppo, Syria
بستان الباشا
According to local reports, between one and seven civilians were killed in airstrikes on the Busta al Basha neighbourhood of Aleppo. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, many didn’t apportion blame. The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) said that “explosive drums pounded the neighbourhood” – a weapon used by the regime;…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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