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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1329

Location

Bishqatin, Aleppo, Syria
بشقاتين
At least sixteen civilians from two families were killed, and “dozens” more wounded in airstrikes on the village of Bishqatin, located in the countryside west of Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though one report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights mentioned Syrian regime involvement. Jaafr M Deen 01Halab…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1315

Location

Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي طريق الباب
Local media reported between two and nine civilians were killed and several others injured by a bombing on residential buildings in the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood in Aleppo - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Some outlets reported napalm was used in the bombings, which were attributed…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1330

Location

Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الكلاسة
Between 10 and 15 civilians including at least one child died and 20 more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Kallassah neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources blamed both raids by Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters, which reportedly caused widespread destruction and left people trapped under the rubble. According to the Syrian…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1316

Location

Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria
المواصلات
Two children and a man were killed by airstrikes in the al Mowasalat neighbourhood, local media reported. The strikes were reportedly part of a larger set of attacks with cluster bombs and phosphorus on multiple Aleppo neighbourhoods and were attributed both to the Syrian regime and to Russian aircraft. Up to five civilians were wounded…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1331

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Between six and 12 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the Syrian regime and one against the US-led Coalition. A number of sources noted that they had been unable…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1304

Location

Jazmati neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
جزمتي
A single source, LCCSY, reported an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Jazmati neighbourhood. @naifaleidi and @HalabTodayTV also reported Russian strike on Jazmati but made no mention of civilian harm. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
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