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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

30 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0791

Location

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported up to 20 civilian casualties and 24 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting al-Jneina, Deir ez-Zour. According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Muhiy al Razouk and his three children” died in a Russian airstrike on Al Jneina. LCSSY also named the victim and said two of his relatives were killed and…

Summary

Published
30 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–20
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0790

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Four non-combatants died in airstrikes on Bab al Nairab, according to local sources. The majority of reports indicated that this was a regime incident, though Shaam News Network also suggested that Russia could also have been responsible. A news roundup blamed both Russian and the regime, reporting “the 9th consecutive day bringing death and destruction…

Summary

Published
30 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0789

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to five people, including a woman and child, were killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Qaterji on April 29th 2016. Shaam News Network, reported “For the eighth day in a row Assad’s and Russian aircraft continue to pour their lava on residential neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, causing dozens…

Summary

Published
29 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
9–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0786

Location

المعادي, Al Ma'adi (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Shaam News Network reported that “as usual warplanes and helicopters continue to fly over the city of Aleppo for the 8th consecutive day bringing people death and destruction. Russian and Assad’s planes launched dozens of raids with vacum missiles and barrel bombs“. They recorded one death in Al Ma’adi. In a tweet by TRTalarabeya both…

Summary

Published
29 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0788

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported about continued airstrikes in al-Sakhour, Aleppo, that killed up to five civilians, including one child and wounded up to four. Sources were constesting regarding the cultprit, pointing to both the Assad regime and Russia. Shaam News Network, reported “For the eighth day in a row Assad’s and Russian aircraft continue to pour…

Summary

Published
29 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0785

Location

حي المغاير, Al Maghayer (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between four and seven civilians died in airstrikes on Al Maghayer as part of the ongoing bombardment of Aleppo, according to local sources. The majority of reports point to this being a regime incident, though one other blames the regime and Russia. Zamanalwasel News spoke of raids carried out by regime warplanes “on most of…

Summary

Published
29 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident