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

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

28 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0782

Location

جب القبة, Jib al Qiba (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In a summary of Russian raids carried out on April 28th in Jibb al Qibba, LCCSY said a Russian raid had left people dead and wounded but did not give numbers In a tweet by Maheralhaj425 it was also reported that 6 people died in Jibb al Qibba, although it was not clear who carried out…

Summary

Published
28 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0783

Location

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two local sources reported an incident in Bei’deen, Aleppo, leading to an unknown number of deaths and injures. LCCSY reported that Russian raids in Bei’deen, Al Salheen, Dahrat Awwad and Al Haidariya” had led to deaths and injuries, but did not give numbers. Meanwhile, Al-qurum media institution  said that “44 have been killed by the regime…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0777

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to 20 civilians including four children died in airstrikes on Bustam al Qasr, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The White Helmets initially reported that “more than 20 martyrs and dozens wounded as well as an entire residential…

Summary

Published
28 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–20
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0779

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to 18 civilians including two children died in airstrikes on Al Kalassa, according to local sources. While most blamed the regime, others alleged that Russia was responsible. At least eight died when “suspected Russian warplanes missiles” fired on the neighborhood, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. In a later report it put…

Summary

Published
28 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–18
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0778

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In a summary of Russian raids carried out on April 28th, LCCSY  said six civilians had died in two strikes on Sukkari. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at three. Al-Buraq Media institution also blamed the regime, and said 6 had died in Al-Sukkari. Shaam News Network referred to…

Summary

Published
28 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident