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

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1389

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died and others were wounded in what most sources said was a Syrian regime artillery strike on Aleppo's al Halak neighbourhood. There was, however, one allegation against Russia. But @al-AMAWI, @Free_TV_Syria, Smart News Agency, Step News Agency, LCCSY and Halab News Network all pointed to a regime artillery strike causing civilian harm.

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1392

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to local media, alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes hit and destroyed a major hospital in al-Sakhour in Aleppo, killing up to four civilians and wounding 15 more. Al Jazeera reported: “Russian and Syrian warplanes shelled  the biggest hospital still working in Eastern Aleppo, destroying it and forcing it out of service, as well…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1393

Location

الزبدية, al Zarbadia, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, air and artillery strikes hit the neighbourhood of al-Zarbadia in Aleppo, killing up to three civilians and wounding as many as six more. According to the Smart News Agency, "regime artillery shelling by Assad forces stationed in Hamdaneya stadium targeted the Al-Zebdiya neighbourhood and killed three children and wounded six others…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1390

Location

جب القبة, Jeb al Qubba, Aleppo, Syria
SMO News reported that “Russian warplanes shelling targeted Al-Shawqi hospital in Jib Al-Quba and destroyed it. Some people were killed and others wounded.” Likewise Al-Jazeera reported how the hospital was left destroyed after the strikes. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1384

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to two people including a child died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo's al Sakhour neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Reports said that the strike hit a hospital. According to IranArabSpring, "an unidentified six-year-old child's body was delivered to the mortuary in Aleppo. He…

Summary

Published
1 October 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1385

Location

الفرجة, al Farjeh, Idlib, Syria
Between four and six civilians including three children and several women died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on the al-Farej camp outside of Idlib, according to local media - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Qasioun and Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed…

Summary

Published
1 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident