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

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1316

Location

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria
Two children and a man were killed by airstrikes in the al Mowasalat neighbourhood, local media reported. The strikes were reportedly part of a larger set of attacks with cluster bombs and phosphorus on multiple Aleppo neighbourhoods and were attributed both to the Syrian regime and to Russian aircraft. Up to five civilians were wounded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1331

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and 12 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the Syrian regime and one against the US-led Coalition. A number of sources noted that they had been unable…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1317

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to local media, a man named Mohammad Houri and an unidentified woman were killed, along with as many as 11 others, with dozens more wounded, by cluster bombs striking the al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo. Some reports said the regime struck the neighbourhood, while others implicated Russian forces. Syrians News claimed the most casualties,…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–13
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1332

Location

الموحسن, Al Mohaissen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and five civilians including two children died up to seven more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mohaissen town, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Among sources blaming Russia were the Shaam News Network, who put…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1318

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that five or six civilians from the same family were killed by Russian warplanes in al Marja, Aleppo. Halab News reported identified four fatalities by name and added that an unidentified baby also was among the casualties. Multiple sources claimed that the dead were from the same family, including @ShahbaPress, @shbabRevolution, @ALAMAWI, @HNMNEWS,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1333

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
Between four and 14 civilians including two or three children died and dozens more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY, “four civilians including two children were martyred after…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident