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

28 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0780

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In a summary of Russian raids carried out on April 28th, LCCSY said three civilians had died in two strikes on Sakhour. RFS News also blamed Russia, reporting “a martyr and a number of wounded in Russian shelling by missiles on Al-Sakhur”. However, several other sources blamed the regime instead. According to the Syrian Network,…

Summary

Published
28 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
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

27 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0773

Location

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Several sources reported alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighbourhood of Bei’deen, which led to the death of one or more civilians including a child. A  Halab Today correspondent said “four civilians [were] wounded in my neighborhood as a result of the aerial bombardment of the Russian air force”. LCCSY reported that one child was killed and one…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0774

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians died and 16 were injured in a Russian or regime attack on Marja. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said three civilians died as a result of Russian strikes. LCCSY also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at four. But the Syrian Mirror said the regime was responsible, reporting that four…

Summary

Published
27 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0776

Location

أبلين, Ibleen, Idlib, Syria
Between one and four civilians including at least one child died in airstrikes on al Zawiya mountain, Idlib according to local sources – though only one source identified the warplanes responsible as Russian. Zaitoun News reported that four children were killed and five persons were wounded in an alleged regime strike on Ibleen village in…

Summary

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