Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1005

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R903RS1000)

Up to 21 civilians died and as many as 55 more were wounded in a major civilian casualty event in Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Syrian Press Center reported a Russian warplane carried out the raid, using missiles.

However, Qasioun News blamed the regime for the airstrike, calling it a “massacre” in which least 43 people were wounded, “the majority were women and children”.

Al Jazeera also blamed the regime, citing air and artillery strikes. A Civil Defence member who was filming as he rescued blamed the regime as did several other local news sources.

All4Syrian News blamed both Russian warplanes and the Assad regime. They also put the number of civilians killed at 21.

LCCSY reported at the end of the day that “27 martyrs were reported in #Homs most of them were killed during Russian airstrikes on #Rastan.”

The report also claims there were 4 unidentified bodies.

Orient news and SMO Syria placed the number of wounded as high as 50. All4Syria put the numbers slightly lower at over 30. Qasioun reported that the hospitals were full of wounded, creating a chaotic environment. There is video evidence showing a makeshift hospital formed to hold wounded civilians.

Victims

Family members (2)

Mohammed Adnan Karman
male killed
Hussam Adnan Karman
killed

Individuals

Ziad Al-Takes
male killed
Ahmad Ayyub
male killed
Mohammed Mahmood Abbas
male killed
Abdul-Mun’im Al-Shimali
male killed
Ahmad Taktak
male killed
Khaled Fayez Al-Youssef
killed
Mohammed Al-Fares
male killed
Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Khatib
male killed
Hamza Masharqa
killed
Nada Mohammed Ali Ayoub
killed
Farhan Shah’houd
killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
16–21
3 Women, 8 Men
Civilians reported injured
30–55

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ar-Rastan (الرستن‬), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.93, 36.74. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (4)