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

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1308

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, at least four and as many as 11 civilians were killed, with dozens more wounded, in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes on the al Sukkari neighborhood in Aleppo. Some sources attributed the strikes to regime helicopters, while others accused Russian aircraft. Al Sukkari had been bombed relentlessly over the prior week,…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–11
Civilians reported injured
30–37
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1309

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Major strikes in Bustan al Qasr, Aleppo, on September 22nd which killed between five and 13 civilians, and wounded dozens more, were attributed to both regime forces and Russia aircraft by local media. Local sources identified five civilian victims, including two children. Many reports stated that barrel bombs and phosphorus were used in the attack,…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1310

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes in the neighborhood of al Kalassa, Aleppo, killed at least seven members of one family, local sources reported. The death toll may have been as high as 27, with sources reporting at least three children and three women dead, and photographs circulating of a father holding his dead son.…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–27
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1311

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes killed one civilian, a young man, and wounded two others on the road outside the Maskana souk, Aleppo, local reports alleged. “Airstrikes also targeted the main highway near Bado neighbourhood and the entrance to the souq of Maskana city in the eastern suburbs where a young man was martyred…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1303

Location

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media. Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.” But LCCSY said that Russia also carried out strikes resulting…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1304

Location

جزمتي, Jazmati neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A single source, LCCSY, reported an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Jazmati neighbourhood. @naifaleidi and @HalabTodayTV also reported Russian strike on Jazmati but made no mention of civilian harm. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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