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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1298

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
Between four and five civilians died in the al Sukkari neighbourhood of Aleppo when a six-storey residential building was destroyed, according to sources on the ground - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russian airstrike or regime artillery or helicopters were to blame. Several sources alleged that Russian used phosphorus bombs in the attack.…

Summary

Published
21 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1299

Location

Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria
المواصلات
Between three and five civilians were killed, including two children, after airstrikes allegedly waged by the regime or Russia, pummeled the al Mowasalat neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported. More civilians were trapped under rubble. Several sorties were flown over Aleppo, and according to Islammemo “both planes and helicopters” were involved. Sources agreed that it…

Summary

Published
21 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1300

Location

Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria
قاضي عسكر
Between one and four civilians were killed, and up to seven wounded, in an airstrike on  Qadi Askar, Aleppo, local sources reported - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or regime helicopters were to blame. On September 22nd, aircraft pummeled several neighbourhoods in Aleppo. Smart News reported “four civilians were killed, and…

Summary

Published
21 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1301

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
Local media reported that one to three civilians died and as many as ten more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo's Al Mashad neighbourhood. This event looks to have been carried out by helicopters belong to the Assad regime. There were no allegations against Russia, though some sources referred to unidentified "warplanes". Photographs from…

Summary

Published
21 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1302

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and three civilians were killed in the al Maysar neighbourhood of Aleppo following heavy air strikes with cluster bombs, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or regime helicopters were to blame. @ShahbaPress, @Step_Agency, SNN, and @ALAMAWI all tweeted that one civilian was “martyred” in the…

Summary

Published
21 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1295

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
Between one and four civilians were killed and two to 25 injured in air or artillery strikes on the city of Talbissa outside Homs, local sources reported. The lowest death count was given by @syriapost1 as one civilian - but with 10 more wounded. Among the dead were at least one child, woman, and young man,…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
View Incident