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

27 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0775

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In a major incident, multiple local sources reported that up to 58 civilians died and between 40 and 90 were injured in airstrikes on the MSF Al Quds hospital in Sukkari. Medical staff were among the casualties. Most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, though the White Helmets pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
27 April 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
58
Civilians reported injured
40–90
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0769

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that warplanes targeted al Shi’ar and Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo, killing up three civilians and wounding several, inlcluding children. Among others, the Syrian News Network (SNN) reported that "three others were killed in the neighborhoods of al Shi’ar and Tareeq al bab" It was however contested who carried out the strikes. The SNN pointed…

Summary

Published
26 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0768

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that up to six civilians were killed and eight were injured followed by airstrikes targeting Bab Nairab, Aleppo. The Syrian News Network (SNN) reported that four civilians were killed while Thiqa News Agency said the strikes had killed six. None of the sources identified the names of the victims. The SNN and…

Summary

Published
26 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
7–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0771

Location

الحيدرية, Haydariya (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to 11 civilians died, among them two young girls, and dozens of other civilians were injured in airstrikes on the Haydariya neighborhood of Aleppo according to local sources. While one report alleged that this was the work of Russia, others blamed the regime. A local activist told Ara News that “the city of Aleppo saw…

Summary

Published
26 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–11
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0772

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Four or five civilians died and others were wounded in alleged airstrikes on Fardous, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. On Twitter, Syriam_m_m as well as Wesal_tv reported that five people died and many were wounded “in Russian…

Summary

Published
26 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0770

Location

الأتارب, Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Five consecutive airstrikes on a civil defense center in Atarib killed up to six members of the White Helmets. Reports however were conflicted: most blame the Assad regime, with only one (the Shaam News Network) alleging that this was the work of Russia – and reporting here was confused. According to the White Helmets, there…

Summary

Published
26 April 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident