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

RS1305

Location

مارجا, Marja neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Marja neighbourhood, according to local media. LCCSY said Russia carried out strikes, though Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.”  

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

RS1306

Location

الصالحين, Al Salhin neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died and seven were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Salhin neighbourhood, according to local media. LCCSY said Russia carried out strikes, though Aljazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.” But Free…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1307

Location

المشهد, Al Mashad neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians died in alleged Assad regime airstrikes on the Aleppo neighbourhoods of "Sukkari, ِMashhad, Marjeh, and Salhin". @alhammamnetwork made no mention of civilian harm but said that "Omar Orabi, from the Istaqim Kma Umirt terrorist organisation, died when Syrian helicopters targeted a gathering in the Al Mashad neighbourhood". No further details…

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

RS1312

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
A 44-year-old woman, was killed by warplanes striking the town of Khan al Assal, west of Aleppo, local reports claimed - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. @ShahbaPress tweeted that “Russian occupation aircraft bombed the town of Kafr Dael phosphorus, rockets and Khan Al Assal…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1297

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
A young girl named Qamar was killed by alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes in the al Ferdos neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local media. Sources also reported further civilians trapped under the rubble. Qasioun and Halab news blamed Russia, but most others were silent on the identity of those responsible. @Shahed_alep tweeted, “warplanes aimed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1298

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between four and five civilians died in the al Sukkari neighbourhood of Aleppo when a six-storey residential building was destroyed, according to sources on the ground - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russian airstrike or regime artillery or helicopters were to blame. Several sources alleged that Russian used phosphorus bombs in the attack.…

Summary

Published
21 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident