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

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1445

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Between one and five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Talbissa. Smart News wrote that “one civilian was killed and 10 were wounded due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling in Talbisa.” Almarsad Alsori Almowahad named a male victim on Twitter and posted a picture of…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1446

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, a mother and her two children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jarjanaz. Shahba reported: “Two children were killed with their mom in a Russian warplanes shelling in Jarjanaz and others wounded.” Halab Today TV published a similar report. All of the other sources reported that a…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
8–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1434

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In what local media described as "a massacre", between six and 16 civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Aleppo's al-Ferdos neighbourhood. Up to 50 more people were reportedly wounded in the attack. In a video taken by SafwanAhmad1, of a civilian casualty being dug from the rubble another airstrike…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–16
Civilians reported injured
12–51
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1435

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In what local media described as a 'massacre', 52 civilians including up to 10 children and seven women died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Bustan al-Qasr  in Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. There were reports of bunker-busting missiles…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
52
Civilians reported injured
20–35
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1436

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One or two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on the Al Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo. HNN reported one woman was killed by a missile. Qasioun said that “Russian warplanes shelling Qaterji killed two civilians while the White Helmets are still searching for survivors in the rubble.” Other sources published…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1432

Location

صوران, Souran, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed in either Russian, Turkish or ISIS artillery shelling on Souran near Aleppo. Baladi wrote that “three civilians were killed due to artillery shelling by ISIS in Souran.” However, according to Syrian Mirror, “three women were killed in Turkish artillery shelling in Souran north of Aleppo.” The Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident