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

November 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1548

LOCATION

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and others were injured in airstrikes launched against the town of Arbin in Eastern Ghouta – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The series of three airstrikes launched against the residential areas were part of an escalated attack

Summary

First published
November 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1630

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب , Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Bab Al Nairab neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources said that both al electricity station and a civil defense center had been struck – though didn’t mention any civilian harm in these particular strikes. According to the Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

January 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS1817

LOCATION

الحابوسة, Al Haboussah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in an alleged aerial bombardment of Al Haboussah, Aleppo. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame.  Despite the Violations Documentation Centre listing the victim as an adult male, an image of a child was published alongside a Facebook status, naming the victim. We are therefore

Summary

First published
January 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 children0–1 men)
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

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2119

LOCATION

كفركرمين, Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria

One child – a six-year-old girl – died and up to six more civilians including another child and two women were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Karmin on the night of April 11th-12th, according to local media. Qasioun reported: “A girl was killed and others were wounded early today [April 12th],

Summary

First published
April 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2157

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

A father was killed and his children were injured on an airstrike which struck their home in Lataminah, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming the Syrian regime, others blaming Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights  blamed the “Syrian-Russian alliance”. Civil Defence Hama initially reported that

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2584

LOCATION

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Alleged Russian and/or Syrian-waged airstrikes possibly killed one man and wounded several other civilians, including a child and a woman, in al-Mayadeen, according to sources on the ground. Enab Baladi reported that more than 30 raids had hit al-Mayadeen, and many other sources put the figure at 20 air raids and more. DPN reported that “Russian

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2657

LOCATION

بياعية الدناش, Baya'eyat Al-Danash, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One child was killed, and between one and five other civilians were injured, following airstrikes on Baya’eyat Al-Danash, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes, however one local source did not attribute blame to any belligerent. Initial reporting suggested that two women were injured and a child was killed. But

Summary

First published
October 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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, 2017

Incident Code

RS2785

LOCATION

السيال, Al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One man was killed and between eight and nine civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al-Sayyal river crossing, according to local media. All sources attributed blame to Moscow. @asharqasouri reported that Dr. Sayed Ahmed Kadouri was injured in the bombing and was transferred to a hospital where he received medial attention. Qasioun News gave the

Summary

First published
December 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–8
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

November 5, 2015

Incident Code

RS121

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reported that one named civilian male was killed, allegedly due to “Russian airforce shelling“. VDC named the victim as Soeoud al-Thamer. No additional information is presently known.  

Summary

First published
November 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3690

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Zeita, multiple local sources reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Loay Barazi was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Kafr Zita city in Hama governorate northern suburbs, on May 10th.”

Summary

First published
May 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS2880

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Hama, Syria

A child, Ayman Abdelkader El Sayed, died from his wounds “a few days” after an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Sajneh, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russia. Only two sources reported on the child’s death. One of them described the raid as a Russian “missile attack”. There were no reports of wounded and no

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS251

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One adult male civilian, Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the Violations Documentation Centre. Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2019

Incident Code

RS3775

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed and up to three women were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on civilian homes in the outskirts of Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on June 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported “the death of a child and the wounding of three women as a

Summary

First published
June 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3404

LOCATION

تل هواش الحميرات, Tal Hwash and Al Hmairat, Hama, Syria

A man was killed and at least four injured as Russian forces reportedly attacked the villages of Tal Hwash and Al Hmairat in central Syria. Basel Mohammad Suleiman al Ali, age 22, was named as the victim by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The wounded totalled six, according to Fidaa news, including three women,

Summary

First published
April 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–6
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS828

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

One woman died and between two and eight other civilians were injured in  airstrikes on Ariha, according to local sources. While most sources said that Russia was responsible, LCCSY blamed the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that one woman was killed and two other civilians injured in Russian strikes on Ariha. Other sources,

Summary

First published
June 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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, Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS989

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

One young man died in an airstrike on Khan al Sheikh, western Ghouta, according to local media – though reports were split on whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strike. LCCSY named the victim and blamed Russia. The Smart News Agency also said that Russia warplanes “killed a civilian and wounded more

Summary

First published
July 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Incident Code

RS4046

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and two members of Syrian Civil Defense injured in the second of two consecutive alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, on August 18th, 2019. Shaam News reported that, following a previous airstrike, “when civil defense teams arrived at the site to evacuate the wounded, Russian warplanes repeated its

Summary

First published
August 18, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1230

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian male died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the grand mosque in Anadan, according to local media. On Sept 12th, HNN reported his death was “due to wounds sustained following Russian enemy raid on the Great Mosque in Anadan a week ago, he is from the town, and a civilian.” Other sources reported

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1576

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes with thermobaric missiles on residential neighborhoods in #Douma where a martyr and several wounded were reported.” However, Syria News Desk pointed to the Assad regime, reporting: “a young man was killed and others injured, at dawn today [Nov 14th], in Douma city which is under the control

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1784

LOCATION

قرية عرفة, Arafeih, Hama, Syria

At least one child was killed and another child was injured from the explosion of a cluster bomb that was left behind by alleged Russian airstrikes a few months prior in the village of Arafeih in eastern Hama, according to local media. The child killed from the cluster bomb was a 12-year-old boy; his brother

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2019

Incident Code

RS3574

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

A 14-year-old girl was reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Lataminah in northern Hama, according to sources on the ground. Local sources reported that a woman and her two daughters were wounded and that the girl died from her injuries hours later. There are varying reports about the exact number of

Summary

First published
January 11, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3578

LOCATION

الجانودية, Al Janoudiya, Jisir Al Shughur countryside, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and up to four others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike which reportedly destroyed a bakery in al Janoudiya, local media reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “warplanes we believe were Russian bombed al Taqwa automatic bakery in  the north of al Janoudiya village in Idlib governorate, destroying its

Summary

First published
January 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2245a

LOCATION

مناطق الحماد, Al Hammad, Homs, Syria

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the the Al Hammad areas of Homs, local media reported. All local sources that reported on the incident, including the Violations Documentation Center, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
May 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2276 CS946a

LOCATION

عياش , Ayyash, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four airstrikes were reported in Ayyash, southwest of Deir Ezzor city, by local media. The sources reported dozens of wounded and that one of the wounded, Thiab al-Rajwan, later died in hospital of the wounds sustained when his house was bombed. Sources were conflicted on who was to blame, with reports pointing to Russia, the

Summary

First published
June 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS2421

LOCATION

موحسن , Mohsin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Euphrates Post, reported: “The killing of Moheisen Yassin Sulaiman from the Bahuri neighborhood in the city of Mohsen as a result of raids by the warplane”.

Summary

First published
September 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2793

LOCATION

البوحمد, Al Buhamad, Raqqa, Syria

A man was reportedly killed when remnants from an unexploaded rocket detonated. Sources all agreed that the missile was from a previous Russian bombing, though the date of the bombing is unknown. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS004

LOCATION

المكرمية, Al Makrmeya, Homs, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that a Russian airstrike at Al Makrmeya had killed a non-combatant. No other details were given. VDC named an adult male civilian from Makrameih as having been killed by alleged Russian strikes. They also published a graphic photo of his body.  

Summary

First published
September 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2838

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Urme Al-Jooz, Idlib, Syria

One man was killed, and as many as five civilians were injured  – including a woman – in airstrikes on Urme Al-Jooz, local sources reported. Only two sources blamed Russian raids, while the others did not attribute blame. Footage published shows fires engulfing infrastructure. The Syrian Civil Defence wrestled to put out the flames. Local

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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

May 3, 2019

Incident Code

RS3652

LOCATION

بيدر شمسو, Baydar Shamsou, Idlib, Syria

A young girl, named as Bisan Hasan al Atrash, died and five or six other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Baydar Shamsou, local media reported. In a video posted by Baladi News, a member of the White Helmets says that “warplanes raided the village of Baydar Shamsou,

Summary

First published
May 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
6
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3682

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

One civilian died of his injuries four days after alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Kafar Zeita, Hama governorate, on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Smart News reported that Russian artillery fire on the town of Kafar Zeita, north of Hama, wounded a number of civilians. Step News Agency wrote: “A

Summary

First published
May 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident