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

11 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1433

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and “many” more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Al Assal near Aleppo. Shahba wrote that “two were killed and many civilians wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Khan Al-Assal in the western countryside of Aleppo.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Halab News also reported two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1427

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
One woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Idlib, according to sources on the ground. The Twitter account Maaramc12 reported that "there was an unidentified female martyr and 20 wounded in Idlib as a result of three Russian raids in Idlib”. Other sources,…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1430

Location

Sadd al Loz, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including a child and a woman died and up to 20 more people were injured in air and/or artillery strikes on Sad al-Luz in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia. The media opposition activist…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
7–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1428

Location

Khan al Assal, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan al-Assal. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights,“two victims died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles firing on Khan Al Asal town in Aleppo governorate western suburbs”. However, Smart News Agency said that there were no reports of…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1429

Location

حي كرم الجبل, Karam al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, the city of Karam al-Jabal in Aleppo was struck by artillery strikes that led to the deaths of three civilians. All sources but one - Shaam News Network (who blamed both Russia and the regime) pointed to the regime as the culprit. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights "three…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1431

Location

الزربة, al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria
Six named civilians from the same family, including two children, died in an airstrike on the town al-Zirba in Aleppo, according to local media - though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center “regime warplanes shelled Zirba after midnight, killing four civilians…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident