Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS2799

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.78379, 39.36559
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R2621RS2801)

Four children (several from the same family) were killed when remnants of a cluster bomb exploded from a previous Russian raid on Zor Shamer on December 16th, according to local media. All sources blamed Russia for the raid. It is unclear when the initial strike occurred, however first reportage of these civilians deaths was 16th December 2017.

Step News Agency reported that “Four children killed and wounded by cluster bombs from air raids [by] #Russian warplanes in the village of Zor Shummer”. But it did not mention cluster remnants.

Many of the sources are carbon copies, however there is still sufficient evidence to identify Russia as likely having dropped the munitions which caused civilian harm.

Victims

Individuals

Child male killed
Child male killed
Child killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
4
4 Children
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zor Shamer (زور شمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.78379, 39.36559. 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
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.