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

29 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1372

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
Between four and six civilians were reportedly killed and up to 20 more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jarjanaz near Idlib. Step News, News from Damascus and Syria News Desk attributed the event to the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Qasioun, Smart News and Syriansnews claimed the strikes were conducted by Russia. Halab News…

Summary

Published
29 September 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1373

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Between one and seven civilians were reported killed and as many as 90 more wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Idlib. According to Step News there were “one dead and several injured following three raids by Russian warplanes that targeted the neighbourhoods of the city.” Step News also reported that the Sheikh…

Summary

Published
29 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
5–90
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1370

Location

تير معلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
One child, Abdulmalik al-Ahdab, was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala near Homs. Syria News Desk wrote that “A 15-year-old boy was killed and other civilians were wounded in the late hours of the night yesterday [Sept 29th] by the Russian warplanes targeting the village of Teir Ma’ala.” Most…

Summary

Published
29 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1369

Location

المعادي, Al Ma'adi, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and 17 civilians were reportedly killed in the Al Ma’adi neighbourhood in Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the result of Russian airstrikes or shelling by the Syrian regime. Syriansnews reported the attack as a joint action: “Seventeen civilians were killed on Wednesday [Sept 28th] and dozens were…

Summary

Published
28 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–17
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1365

Location

Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and four people were killed in airstrikes on Qadi Askar in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. AMC reported that two children were killed, while The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "at least one child" had died, while AleppoAMC put the number at four. Most sources didn’t name the belligerent, though…

Summary

Published
28 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1366

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, two civilians, most likely children, were killed and up to another eight people injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mansoura outside Aleppo. The vast majority of sources attributed the strike to Russia, though AleppoAMC and Syrianpc just mention “the air force”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
28 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident