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

RS1353

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and seven civilians were reportedly killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Maysar neighbourhood of Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime: “At least four victims died in government helicopters dropping barrel bombs on Al Maysar neighbourhood in Aleppo city.”…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1354

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were killed in the Al Mashhad neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media. Reporting was conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian Regime was responsible. LCCSY reported: “Aleppo: Three martyrs and some wounded as Russian warplanes bombarded Mashhad neighborhood.” Thiqanewsagency reported that a bus was hit with cluster bombs in the strikes.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1355

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between ten and 18 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo. IranArabSpring also reported the death of one man as a result of cluster bombs and posted a picture of him. LCCSY reported ten civilians dead and others wounded. Syrian Press Center added that…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–18
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1356

Location

صلاح الدين, Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and six civilians were reported killed and 20 more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Salahudin in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported "four civilians (three children and their mother) died when alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Salahudin neighborhood in Aleppo city.” Thiqanewsagency and Almawi, among others, reported a lower…

Summary

Published
25 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1334

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between seven and 25 civilians were reportedly killed and up to 75 more injured in airstrikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–25
Civilians reported injured
75
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1335

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between six and eight civilians including five children and one woman were reportedly killed in an airstrike in the Al Mashhad neighbourhood in Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Most sources seven civilians died in the attack. The Syrian Network for Human Rights elaborated on the location…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident