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

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1325

Location

al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Syria
الشيخ خضر
One civilian was killed in bombings on the neighbourhood of al-Sheikh Khudar in Aleppo on September 23rd, local sources reported. Most outlets reported on the death in similar language to @true_tube, as one of many in “a raid on nearly 30 neighbourhoods.” Halab News' list of martyrs included one entry for an unidentified civilian in…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1314

Location

Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria
كرم حومد
One civilian was killed by airstrikes in the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to multiple local reports. Several civilians were also wounded, according to @ameeralhalabi and @essamtakly. Halab News referred to one unidentified civilian killed in the raid, as did the Shaam News Network. Some sources referred to the strikes as Russian. For instance,…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1324

Location

Al Ma'adi, Aleppo, Syria
المعادي
Two or three civilians were killed in the al Ma’adi neighbourhood of Aleppo on September 23rd by a bombing raid, local sources reported. Reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Halab News Network said three civilians died and named two of them. Extremely graphic photographs from @AleppoAMC showed…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1323

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
Air raids on the al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo killed up to two civilians, local media reported. It was unclear whether the attacks were carried out by the regime or by Russia. Islammemo reported, “two martyrs in al Sakhour.” So did @Sy_Reporter and HNN. Alaraby News stated that Russian fighters carried out the strike, along…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1322

Location

Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الأنصاري
A Russian aircraft struck a White Helmets building in Aleppo’s al Ansari neighbourhood, killing eight people, according to local sources. The strike reportedly occurred in conjunction with other strikes on White Helmets buildings in Alhaidariya and Hanano, Alsouria News said. The White Helmets posted a YouTube video showing the extent of the destruction. A large…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1321

Location

Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي بستان القصر
According to local sources, one woman was killed in Russian raids on the Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood of Aleppo. HNN’s list of martyrs included, “an unidentified woman, following Russian aggression raids on Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood, civilian.” @RadioAlKul tweeted, “an apartment building in the neighbourhood of Bustan al Qasr was destroyed by Russian air raids…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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