Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1414

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.373059, 36.112682
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1284RS1411)

According to local media, the Khan al-Sheikh camp was subject to intense aerial or artillery shelling, leading to the death of up to three civilians including a child. Two other people were reportedly wounded in the attack, which reports blamed on either Russia or the Assad regime. There were claims that a field hospital and a mosque were struck in the attack.

According to Syria News Desk  “regime forces targeted a field hospital in Khan al sheikh with four explosive barrels and rocket-propelled artillery. Russian warplanes also launched raids with cluster bombs on the town, killing three civilians, including a child, and wounding several others”.

Some sources reported that the strikes struck a hospital, while AqsaTV added that a mosque was hit.

Many sources reported the illegal use of cluster bombs; among these were Qasioun, Step News, @freesyr046, @JobarNews1 and Syrian Press Center.

Most sources – such as Qasioun, Step News, Syrian Press Center and LCCSY – attributed the strikes to Russia, while a few (Smart News Agency, Shaware3mo5ym and  Islam Memo) pointed to the Assad regime.

Finally, Aqsa TV and Syria News Desk said that both Russia and the Assad regime were responsible.

Victims

Individuals

Isra’a
1 years old named by LCCSY killed
Mohammed Hussein Abu-Nidal
Adult male named by LCCSY killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
2–3
1 Child, 1 Man
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khan al Sheikh (خان الشيح‬), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.373059, 36.112682. 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 October 1st – 19th 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (6)