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

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1358

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and three civilians were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Khan Al Assal, a village west of Aleppo. LCCSY reported: “One dead and a number of wounded civilians due to Russian aircraft targeting Khan Al Assal in the western countryside with cluster bombs.” Later, it also…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1359

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and six people were reportedly killed in Russian airstrikes on the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo. Rfsmediaoffice reported: “Our correspondent in Aleppo said that the warplanes bombed the neighborhood of Karam Homad with several rockets, causing the death of three people and a number of wounded, noting that they are trapped under the…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1360

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and four civilians were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Halak neighbourhood of Aleppo. While most sources claimed that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime, a number of outlets reported the strikes were Russian. Syriamubasher wrote: “A woman and two men died as a result of…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1361

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between three and 13 civilians were reported killed alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least three civilians including a child died due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles firing on Bustan Al Qasr neighborhood in Aleppo city” AleppoAMC…

Summary

Published
26 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–13
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1348

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and five civilians from the same family were reportedly killed in either Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Halak neighbourhood of Aleppo. Sources like LCCSY, HNN and Islammemo reported that the strikes were conducted by Russian warplanes. Syrian Press Center added that cluster bombs and phosphorus were used. However, the Syrian…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1345

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and 17 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Most sources said around 17 people were killed, while Araby reported that only one civilian died. Several sources, such as Step News and Smart News, claimed cluster bombs were used in two…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–17
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident