Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1778

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة, al-Kalassa, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that up to nine civilians were killed and a number were left wounded following air and artillery strikes on of al-Kalassa, Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Several sources, such as HalabTodayTV’s correspondent, reported that helicopters dropped bombs containing chlorine gas, suffocating “dozens”, including children

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 9
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1777

LOCATION

باب قنسرين, Bab Qansrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Bab Qansrin neighbourhood, Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo that day, that in total killed and wounded “dozens” on December 8th 2016,

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1776

LOCATION

الجلوم, Jalloum, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that six civilians were killed by airstrikes on the neighbourhood of Jalloum, Aleppo – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assda regime were to blame. While two sources pointed blame on Russia, one source explicitly pointed to the Syrian regime. Additionally, @Syria_Tweets reported that “helicopters target Jaloum neighbourhood in old Aleppo with

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1775

LOCATION

الانصاري, al-Ansari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that air or artillery strikes killed up four civilians as they struck the neighbourhood of al-Ansari, Aleppo. The responsible belligerent was, however, unclear with one source pointing to the Syrian regime and another two attributing the incident to Russia. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo, that in

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1774

LOCATION

معادي, Ma'adi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and seven civilians were killed as warplanes and possibly artillery attacked the neighbourhood of Ma’adi, Aleppo, local sources reported. However, were it was unclear whether the strikes were carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo, that in total killed and

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1773

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that up to seven civilians, including at least one woman, were killed and more than twenty were left wounded following air and/or artillery shelling of Bustan al-Qasr, Aleppo. The sources, however, were unclear as to whether the incident was caused by Russia or the Assad regime. The sources reported the death of between

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS1772

LOCATION

عندان , Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Two named civilians died and two more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan in the northern Aleppo countryside, according to sources on the ground. Syria Mubasher, Abu Taym Al-Halabi, and Syria rev news said that one civilian had died. Halab News noted the use of cluster bombs, while LCCSY said that “several bunker-busting missiles” were

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS1770

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة , Al Kalassa neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Twelve civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Kalassa neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “12 victims died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Al Kalasa neighborhood in Aleppo city, December 7, 2016.” LCCSY also put the death toll at 12 and blamed Russia. Halab

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS1771

LOCATION

حي المعادي , Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and eight civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, sources on the ground reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “four victims died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Al Ma’adi neighborhood in Aleppo city, December 7, 2016.”. However, other sources – Syria Mubasher, LCCSY, and Syria rev

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1765

LOCATION

سَرْمِين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Between five and 10 civilians, including three to five children, a woman, and three men, were killed and at least 15 others were injured in airstrikes against the town of Sarmin in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 27, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
(3–5 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
8 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1763

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Up to eight civilians were killed and 15 injured in multiple airstrikes on Kafr Sajna, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Step News, who put the death toll at four with a “number” of injuries, reported that “warplanes launched four airstrikes with surface rockets

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 27, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1753

LOCATION

Aguil, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian raids on Aguil, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged raids.  Only one source put the death toll as high as 12, one other putting it at two and most others four. According to sources, vacuum missiles were used in

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1769

LOCATION

ساحة بزة , Bazza Square, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians from one family (a man, his wife and their four sons) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s  Bazza square, according to local media. The victims, from the Walid Khasim family, were named by Halab News and the Violations Documentation Center. Both of these sources attributed the deaths to Russia.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1762

LOCATION

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed during an airstrike on Zardana, Idlib, according to local media reports – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Idlib Media Centre, who stated that one woman died in the attack, reported that it was because of a “missile launched by Russian occupation

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1768

LOCATION

مدينة ادلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

On December 6, 2016, eight civilians – including six children – were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on on Al-Arbaeen Street and Maarat Al Nisrin roundabout in the city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria, according to sources on the ground. Misrennabd reported that there had been “four martyrs and 20 wounded

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(6 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
8 named, 2 families identified
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1752

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One person was killed and several others were wounded in an alleged raid on a market place in Al Atarib, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some blaming Russian warplanes and others the Syrian regime.  According to sources, there was extensive damage due to missiles and cluster bombs.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1761

LOCATION

حي المعادي , Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on the al Ma’adi neighbourhood of Aleppo – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Halab News reported that the three unidentified civilians were killed “following Russian enemy raids” on al Ma’adi. Whilst other sources confirmed that there were airstrikes

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1760

LOCATION

حي السكري , Al Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were reportedly killed during an alleged Russian airstrike on the al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media sources. Halab News reported that the two unidentified civilians were killed “following Russian enemy raids” on al Sukkari. Whilst Step News Agency corroborated the fact that there were Russian airstrikes in al

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1767

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat Al Nasaan, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrikes on Maarat Al Nasaan, according to local media. According to Jisrtv, the fatalities including two women and a girl. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Three victims including a child died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Ma’aret Al Na’san town in Idlib

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1 child2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1759

LOCATION

حي باب الحديد, Bab al Hadid neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bab al Hadid, Aleppo, according to local media. Ayman Watfa, Step News Agency’s correspondent in Aleppo, reported that “six people were killed in the neighbourhood of Bab al Hadid in Russian raids using parachute bombs”. Halab News, who placed the death toll

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1751

LOCATION

كفر نوران, Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One adult male was killed, and the rest of his family was injured, in an alleged Russian raid which targeted a residential area and a school in Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, according to local media. All sources blamed Russia, which reportedly carried out four raids on the vicinity.  According to a sources, the aerial bombardment caused extensive

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1758

LOCATION

حي قارلق, Karlak neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians were reportedly killed in airstrike on Karlak neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to local media source, HNN. HNN reported that the five civilians died “following Russian enemy raids”. There were no other known sources reporting on this incident.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1757

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven people were reportedly killed in an airstrike on al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to local media source Halab News. According to the source, the seven civilians died “following Russian enemy raids on al Salheen”. There were no other known sources with information regarding this incident.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1750

LOCATION

السحارة, Al Sahara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed and others were wounded in four alleged raids on Al Sahara, Aleppo. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming Russian warplanes and others blaming the Syrian regime.  Most sources reported that phosphorous bombs and cluster bombs were used in the attack. Additionally, one source claimed that the

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1766

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

On December 6, 2016, between 8 and 15 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat Misrin, according to local media. Halab News and Idlib Media Center were among sources that attributed the event to Russia. The majority of reports put

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Marketplace
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 15
(4–12 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1756

LOCATION

حي قاضي عسكر, Qadi A’skar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and eight civilians were killed in an airstrike on Qadi Askar, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the event. Halab Today reported that “the regime forces and sectarian militias supporting it” engaged in “intensive aerial bomardment and clashes in the neighbourhood

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1755

LOCATION

حي الجلوم , Al Jalloum neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 15 civilians, including six children and two women, were killed in an airstrike on Al Jalloum, Aleppo – whilst a “number” were wounded, according to local media. All of the known sources attributed responsibility for the event to Russian jets. Syrian Press Center reported that “the warplanes launched intensive airstrikes on Monday [6th]

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 15
(0–6 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1749

LOCATION

البوابية, Al Bawabiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and seven civilians were killed, and many others were wounded, in a continuous bombardment on Al Bawabiya, Aleppo. Sources are however, were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attribute the blame to Russian warplanes, and others to the Syrian regime. One source blames both belligerents. Syrianpc reported that the raid was both

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1754

LOCATION

حي مساكن الفردوس, Masaken al Ferdos, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and between 12-15 injured in an airstrike on Masaken al Ferdos, Aleppo according to local media – though it was unclear whether the Russia or Assad regime were responsible. A “massacre” took place in Al Ferdos as the neighbourhood was struck by rocket-propelled grenades, according to Enab Beladi News.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1764

LOCATION

حَاسٌّ, Haas, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a woman and a child – died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Haas, according to local media. The Shaam News Network reported: “Today, [Dec 6th] violent Russian raids deliberately targeting civilians led to the fall of four martyrs and a number of wounded

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 27, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident