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

16 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1156

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
As many as seven civilians including a child died in an airstrike on Al Atarib, local media reported. The majority of sources said that Russia was responsible, however, one report by Akhbaralaan also made mention of the Syrian regime. According to All4Syria on August 16th, the sky over Aleppo was full of “swarms of Russian…

Summary

Published
16 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1159

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between 13 and 24 civilians – many of them women and children – died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a popular market in Tareeq al Bab, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several pointed towards the regime. Reports said that a large number of civilians remained…

Summary

Published
16 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
13–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1160

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that two children died and several more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on the Al Ferdous neighbourhood of Aleppo. Most sources blamed Russia, though one said that the Assad regime had also carried out strikes on the area. Russia: LCCSY, @syriapost1, @ShahbaPress and @SRG_Syria all blamed Russia. LCCSY also initially pointed to…

Summary

Published
16 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1161

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between six and eight civilians died and 16 more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency said that the strike occurred “near a footbridge”. Shahed-aya, Step, Sama, Syrian-reporters and @syrianArwad all put the death toll at six –…

Summary

Published
16 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1162

Location

دارة عزة, Dara Azza, Aleppo, Syria
Several civilians died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Dara Azza in Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia – though there were also allegations against the regime – and focused on a strike on a field hospital. Other outlets reported more widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure…

Summary

Published
16 August 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1157

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and seven civilians died and more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Al Atarib, according to local media – though a number of sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Multiple reports said that a child died. Youn7 said that three people were killed including the child. According to Akhbaralaan, “seven civilians…

Summary

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