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

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1336

Location

ارض الحمرا, Ard Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 25 civilians died and up to another 25 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Ard Hamra neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. HNN named two of the victims, and added that six others were unidentified. All4Syria reported the highest casualty count with 25 saying: “The largest number of victims…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1337

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between three and 15 civilians were reported killed and ten more injured in airstrikes on the Al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several reports said that barrel bombs had been dropped on the neighbourhood – a weapon known to be used by the Syrian regime. HNN named two victims.…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–15
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1338

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and eight civilians were killed and as many as 22 more injured in airstrikes in Karam Homad in Aleppo, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The lowest death count was given by Almustaqbal and Zamanmasdar at one…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
20–22
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1339

Location

الكلاسة, Kallasa, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and nine civilians including one child died in airstrikes on the Kallassa and Maysar neighbourhoods of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible. LCCSY reported that “Russia’s and Assad’s warplanes conducted airstrikes on the eSufun al Samanastern neighborhoods of Aleppo”…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–9
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1340

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Five named civilians from the same family, including three children, died as result of either Russian or Syrian regime airstrike in the Bab Nayrab neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. CNN reported that civilian infrastructure was destroyed in the strike: “As a result of heavy shelling last night, Bab Nayrab station, which provides water…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1341

Location

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Bashr, Aleppo, Syria
According to local reports, between one and seven civilians were killed in airstrikes on the Busta al Basha neighbourhood of Aleppo. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, many didn’t apportion blame. The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) said that “explosive drums pounded the neighbourhood” – a weapon used by the regime;…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident