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

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1420

Location

Al Masra'a al Thania, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians including two children and up to three women died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania near Maskana in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Press Center, “two children were killed and others wounded due to warplanes shelling in Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania and the sugar factory…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1421

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
According to local media, an airstrike on Heesh village near Idlib killed a family of four: a father, mother and two children - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One report claimed that there were five deaths. According to the Shaam News Network, the strikes hit a…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS329 RS1417

Location

جسر السياسية, Al Siassah Bridge [exact location], Deir Ezzor, Syria
On Thursday, October 6, 2016, one civilian was killed and several others were injured when warplanes bombed Al-Siassah bridge over the Euphrates river in Deir Ez-Zawr, in eastern Syria. Reports cited both Coalition and Russian forces, although CENTCOM reported the destruction of two supply routes in Deir Ezzor for October 5th-6th. Sham News Network reported…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1415

Location

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and eight civilians including a woman died and dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Bustan Al-Basha, Aleppo, according to local media. The Syrian Organization for the Defense of Human Rights reported that “eight martyrs so far and dozens wounded in Bustan Al-Basha  due to warplanes shelling. The…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1416

Location

المواصلات, al Mouwasalat, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported the death of one civilian woman in the al-Mouwasalat area of Aleppo as a consequence of aerial shelling - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime caused her death. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and Assad’s warplanes continued their air raids on the city of Aleppo and…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1418

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, the Khan al-Assal area in Aleppo was subject to warplane shelling, leading to the deaths of up to three civilians though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime caused the civilian harm. The twitter account @Aleppo reported that the strikes hit a funeral gathering. Meanwhile, the Syrian…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident