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

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1404

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians including a child died and 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local media. According to All4Syria, “Russian warplanes carried out three raids, two with missiles and one with cluster bombs, targeting civilians' houses. Two people were killed and more wounded. Shops and houses were…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1401

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources air and artillery strikes hit the city Anadan north of Aleppo, killing one or two civilians. According to Nabd Syria, “two people were killed and others wounded in Anadan due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling”. One source, Muslm, attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia, while Jsirtv…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1405

Location

الهلّك, Hallak, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians died in an incident in Hallak, Aleppo, according to local media - though it was unclear whether they were killed by Russian or regime strikes or by a sniper.  According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 4 civilians including a woman were killed by suspected Russian warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1406

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Karam Houmad, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1407

Location

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria
Up to eight civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the city of al Zirba, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources said that the strikes only caused damage and no civilian harm. For example, the Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes shelled in Zirba in the southern western countryside of Aleppo…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1408

Location

ريف المهندسين, Rif al Muhandisin, Aleppo, Syria
Up to eight civilians died and as many as 57 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandisin in the Western countryside of Aleppo, according to local media. Qasioun News reported “Russian warplanes committed a massacre in Rif Al Muhandisin in the western countryside of Aleppo, killing six civilians…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
12–57
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident