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

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0544

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians were killed and 22 others injured in an airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network alleged that Russian raids killed five in Al Kalassa, as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo” on Thursday February 4th. The White Helmets reported that “a vacuum missile fell on…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
22
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0542

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to eight civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the the Al Bab road neighbourhood, according to multiple reports by Shaam News Network and additional local sources. Akhbar El Thawra El Souriya reported 25 “civilian martyrs” weres killed by Russian warplanes in several neighborhoods of Aleppo, including Tareeq al-Bab. Al Nateq Press reported 16…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0543

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Nine civilians including five children were killed in airstrikes on Anadan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible, and there is some question as to exactly when certain victims died. The Shaam News Network reported that three children from one family were killed…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0545

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
As many as eleven civilians including two children and two women were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mashad in Aleppo, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported on “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo,” and said that 11 civilians had been killed in the Al Mashad neighbourhood. It published a graphic…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0541

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, three victims including a child died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan. Shaam News Network published a distressing video showing “the reaction of a mother who finds her son’s…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0535

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that three civilians including one woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan. Shahed A’ayan Halab reported the deaths of 5 people and the wounding of 3 others as a result of Russian bombing in Hraytan.  

Summary

Published
3 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident