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

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1256

Location

Batabo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 12 civilians including four children and four women died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Batbo town. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia; however, several blamed the Syrian regime while some others didn’t distinguish between Russian or regime jets. According to the Shaam News Network,…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–12
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1257

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and seven civilians including three children and a woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to local media. The source Shahed-ayan reported that there had been five raids on the town. The minimum death count of four civilians – three children and a woman – was given by Alamawi and…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1258

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven civilians died and as many as 22 more were wounded in an airstrike on Salheen, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work or Russia or the Syrian regime. Baladi, Halab Today and LCCSY blamed Russia. The lowest death toll – of one –…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
10–22
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1259

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to ten civilians died and as many as 20 more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. According to Shahed-ayan, “warplanes and artillery shelling in Bustan Al-Qaser killed 10 people and…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–10
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1260

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between two and fifteen civilians including one woman died and 43 more were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Marja, according to local media. Alamawi, Jisrtv, LCCSY all blamed Russia. In a video published by Piepers Umran (see below), a man says that Russian planes “targeted civilians as there are no militants in…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
43
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1261

Location

الميسر, Mayser, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including one child died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on the Mayser neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to Zouhayrhnidel, “Russian warplanes destroyed 30 civilian houses…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident