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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1342

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
Between five and seven civilians died and up to 40 were wounded in airstrikes in the Al Karab neighbourhood of Al Atareb outside Aleppo, according to local media. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY wrote that “the correspondent counted five civilians were killed when Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1343

Location

Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي طريق الباب
Between eight and 18 civilians  - six or seven of whom were reportedly from the same family – were killed in airstrikes in the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, both the Shaam news Network and LCCSY, referred to “Russian and…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1344

Location

Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الفردوس
According to local reports between three and 19 people including two children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on the Al Ferdos neighbourhood of Aleppo. Up to dozens more were reported wounded. While most sources blamed Russia, the involvement of the Syrian regime can’t be ruled out, as according to the Shaam News Network,…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1317

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
According to local media, a man named Mohammad Houri and an unidentified woman were killed, along with as many as 11 others, with dozens more wounded, by cluster bombs striking the al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo. Some reports said the regime struck the neighbourhood, while others implicated Russian forces. Syrians News claimed the most casualties,…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1332

Location

Al Mohaissen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الموحسن
Between three and five civilians including two children died up to seven more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mohaissen town, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Among sources blaming Russia were the Shaam News Network, who put…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1318

Location

Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏المرجة‬
Local media reported that five or six civilians from the same family were killed by Russian warplanes in al Marja, Aleppo. Halab News reported identified four fatalities by name and added that an unidentified baby also was among the casualties. Multiple sources claimed that the dead were from the same family, including @ShahbaPress, @shbabRevolution, @ALAMAWI, @HNMNEWS,…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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