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

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1349

Location

ارض الحمرا, Al Arad al Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and nine civilians were reportedly killed in Russian airstrikes on the Al Arad, Al Hamra neighbourhood in Aleppo. According to Al Jazeera and many other reports, the strike was on a vegetable market. Most sources including Halab News and Alwatan reported that one woman died from injuries sustained in the strikes. Alaraby reported…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–9
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1350

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and 15 civilians were killed in either Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported. Microsyria reported 15 civilians were killed in the raids. According to Almesryoon, civilian infrastructure was struck by Russian jet, including “popular markets and bakeries”. Hassannkanjo wrote on Twitter: “Russian aviation targets…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1351

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and nine civilians were reportedly killed in Russian or Syrian regime air raids on the Al Qaterji neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Halab News and Alwatan reported one unidentified person dead. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two people as a result of “government helicopters dropping barrel…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–9
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1346

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and ten civilians including a child were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in the Al Salheen neighbourhood of Aleppo. According to Al Jazeera, “ten people died in airstrikes with cluster bombs on the Salheen neighborhood in the city of Aleppo.” Baladi News said that barrel bombs were used which could…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1347

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Various sources reported that an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Douma in Eastern Ghouta – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY, Russia conducted five strikes. The source said there had been casualties but didn’t…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1352

Location

الزبدية, al Zabadia, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and five civilians died in the Al Zabadia neighbourhood of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported: “Two martyrs and ten wounded were reported as Russian warplanes carried out cluster bomb attacks on the Zabadia neighborhood.” Syrian Press Center reported a higher death…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident