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

RS1342

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and seven civilians died and up to 40 were wounded in airstrikes in the Al Karab neighbourhood of Al Atareb outside Aleppo, according to local media. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY wrote that “the correspondent counted five civilians were killed when Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
22–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1343

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and 18 civilians  - six or seven of whom were reportedly from the same family – were killed in airstrikes in the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, both the Shaam news Network and LCCSY, referred to “Russian and…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–18
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1344

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to local reports between three and 19 people including two children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on the Al Ferdos neighbourhood of Aleppo. Up to dozens more were reported wounded. While most sources blamed Russia, the involvement of the Syrian regime can’t be ruled out, as according to the Shaam News Network,…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–19
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1329

Location

بشقاتين, Bishqatin, Aleppo, Syria
At least sixteen civilians from two families were killed, and “dozens” more wounded in airstrikes on the village of Bishqatin, located in the countryside west of Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though one report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights mentioned Syrian regime involvement. Jaafr M Deen 01Halab…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
16–21
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1315

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported between two and nine civilians were killed and several others injured by a bombing on residential buildings in the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood in Aleppo - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Some outlets reported napalm was used in the bombings, which were attributed…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1330

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between 10 and 15 civilians including at least one child died and 20 more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Kallassah neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources blamed both raids by Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters, which reportedly caused widespread destruction and left people trapped under the rubble. According to the Syrian…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident