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 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1713

LOCATION

الشعار , Al Shi’ar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 12 civilians including children and women died and dozens more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Shi’ar neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime caused the civilian harm, though multiple reports mentioned the use of cluster bombs and missiles.

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(5 children2 women5 men)
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
Named victims
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1718

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

One named woman died and two or three other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Ltamenah, according to sources on the ground. Only one source explicitly blamed Russia; the others didn’t apportion blame. HNN reported: “Russian enemy planes targeted  the town of Ltamenah in the northern Hama countryside with an air raid killing one woman

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1717

LOCATION

الحولة, Al Hola, Homs, Syria

Between four and 11 civilians died in shelling on Al Hola in Homs, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources blamed artillery and mortar shelling by the regime, however, one report attributed the civilian harm to Russian airstrikes. Multiple reports said that an agricultural tractor carrying displaced people was struck in the attack.

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 11
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

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1719

LOCATION

قرية العنكاوي, Al A’nkawi village, in Sahil al Ghab, Hama, Syria

Syria News Desk reported: “In Sahil al Ghab, western Hama countryside, two civilians were killed and five others wounded by a raid by Russian warplanes on the village of Al Ankawi under the control of the opposition, which also resulted in the destruction of two houses”. Egypt Today also put the death toll at two

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1712

LOCATION

الحميدية , Waterway leading to Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor city, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and seven civilians died and up to another seven were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on a waterway leading to the Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor city, sources on the ground said According to the Shaam News Network, “activists reported  that  Russian aircraft  targeted a water crossing leading to the

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1701

LOCATION

عينجارة, Anjara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between 10 and 15 civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Anjara. according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) also pointed to the regime. According to SN4HR, who gave the lowest death count: “at least 10 victims died in government

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1711

LOCATION

حي الحميدية , Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor city, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 30 civilians – many of them named – died and as many as 40 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on a vegetable market in the Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor city. According to Deir Ezzor and Raqqa Legal Network, around five members

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25 – 30
(3–6 children)
Civilians reported injured
15–40
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
27 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1710

LOCATION

طريق الباب, Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Tareeq Al Bab neighbourhood, local sources reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “three civilians including a girl died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles firing on Tareeq Al Bab neighborhood in Aleppo city, November 27.”

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
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

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1709

LOCATION

الحيدرية , Al Haydariya neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported “an artillery and missile bombardment by regime forces on Al-Haidariya and Al-Sakhour neighborhoods in Aleppo from Sheikh Yusuf hill”, but made no mention of civilian harm. However, Halab News listed six unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike on the Al Haydariya neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1708

LOCATION

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

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. @shahed_alep reported the use of a barrel bomb, while @zozan46 said that bombs had been dropped by parachutes. HNN listed two unidentified civilians as killed in a

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1707

LOCATION

الحلوانية , Al Hilwaniya neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian air or artillery strike on Aleppo’s Al Hilwaniya neighbourhood, according to local media. Step said that “Russian warplanes and helicopters” had carried out strikes on neighbourhoods in Aleppo including Al Hilwaniya, “resulting in civilian casualties”. @shahed-alep reported “a heavy artillery and rocket attack on Al-Sakhour and Al-Halawani neighborhoods and the

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1706

LOCATION

الميسر , Al Mayssar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

@RFS_NORTH tweeted that “the forces of the regime bombardedthe Al-Maysar and Karam Tarab neighborhoods in Aleppo with heavy artillery shells” – but made no mention of civilian harm. But according to HNN, one unidentified civilian died from a Russian strike on the Al Mayssar neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1705

LOCATION

المرجة, Al Marja neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians died and more were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Marja neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. But Alsharq pointed to the regime, reporting: “The Syrian Air Force continued to launch intensive air strikes accompanied by heavy artillery shelling on the neighborhoods of

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1704

LOCATION

الزهراء , Al Zahra village, Aleppo, Syria

On November 27, 2016, according to the Shaam News Network amongst other local sources, two people were reportedly killed and dozens wounded when an aerial bombing resulted in “several successive explosions” hitting a residential area the town of Zahra, located in the northern countryside of Aleppo, in northwestern Syria. Where sources identified a belligerent, most

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1703

LOCATION

نبل , Nabil, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In what may have been a friendly fire incident, committed by the regime, or by Russia, an unspecified number of people were killed and wounded in Nabil, according to sources on the ground. HNN reported “four air raids [three using vacuum missiles and one cluster bombs] by Russian planes on the pro regime villages of

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1702

LOCATION

الليرمون, Al Lleiramoun, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that a woman and her child died and another civilian was wounded in an airstrike on Al Lleiramoun. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. According to @SN4HR, “the girl Suhad Hasan Kurdiyeh, from Al Layramoun town in Aleppo governorate, died in government warplanes (allies) missiles fired

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1692

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Mansoura in the western countryside of Aleppo, local media reported. According to a civil defense official of Hussein al-Masri, “an aerial bombardment by Russian aircraft targeted the Shifa pharmaceutical factory in the town of Al

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1698

LOCATION

معارة الأرتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and seven others were injured, including a woman, in airstrikes against the town of Maarat al Arteek in Aleppo. The airstrikes reportedly struck the police station with bunker busting missiles and resulted in the death of a policeman. The consensus among local sources, including @RFS_NORTH and @Syriamubasher, was

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
7
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 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1697

LOCATION

كرم الذحان, Karam al Tahan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and seven civilians were killed and dozens of others were wounded in airstrikes against the town of Karm Al Dhaham, Aleppo. In addition to the human cost, the airstrikes reportedly caused extensive physical damage to buildings and homes. The majority of local sources, including Nabd News and @ShahbaPress, attributed the airstrikes to Russian

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1696

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and seven civilians were killed and more than 10 civilians were injured in airstrikes against the Al Qaterji neighborhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. At the time of reporting of five casualties, civil defense workers were still searching among the rubble for additional bodies or survivors. According to Smart News,

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1695

LOCATION

باب النيرب , Bab al Nairab, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians were killed in alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strikes on the Bab al Nairab neighborhood in Aleppo, sources on the ground reported. According to Smart News, both regime and Russian airplanes carried out airstrikes in the area. The source didn’t identify who was responsible for the strikes against

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1700

LOCATION

كفر حمرة , Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

HNN listed two unidentified civilians as killed “following Russian enemy raids on Kafr Hamra”. @ShahbaPress also put the death toll at two and blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
November 26, 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

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1699

LOCATION

كفر بسين , Kafr Bisin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians died including a woman in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Bisin, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. @ShahbaPress reported that there were”four martyrs and several wounded civilians following raids by the Russian occupation aircraft on the village of Kafr Bassin countryside”.    

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 woman1–3 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

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1694

LOCATION

مساكن هنانو , Masaken Hanano residences neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

At least four civilians were killed and nine others were wounded in air or artillery strikes on the Masaken Hanano residences neighbourhood in Aleppo. Local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes against Masaken Hanano. Both Halab News and @ShahbaPress identified Russian planes as being responsible for the airstrikes. However, according to

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–9
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

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1693

LOCATION

منطقة الكسارة , Al Kassara area in the Sakhour neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and 14 civilians were killed and dozens of others were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes against the Al Kassara area in the Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the low estimate of three deaths while Halab News listed that

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 14
Civilians reported injured
12
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

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1690

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians were killed and at least 20 others were injured in airstrikes against the town of Al Mansoura in the western countryside of Aleppo. The majority of local sources, including @ShahbaPress, allege that Russian warplanes were responsible for the airstrikes launched against Al Mansoura. However, SDC Aleppo offered a conflicting report

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1688

LOCATION

حي الشعار , Al Shi'ar, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and five civilians, including two children, were killed and 12 or more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Al Shi’ar in Aleppo. The majority of sources did not identify who was to blame for the airstrikes but those that did, including Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian People’s Movement, attributed the airstrikes

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
12
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

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1691

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four and seven civilians were killed and up to seven others were wounded, including women and children, in alleged Russian airstrikes against Hatla village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that at the time of reporting, many civilians were in critical condition and the death toll

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5–7
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1687

LOCATION

حي الصاخور , Sakhour, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians – including a child and a woman – were killed and at least one other was injured, including a child, in airstrikes on Al Sakhour in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to VDC, both the identify of the victims and the identity of the warplanes could not

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child1 woman4 men)
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 belligerents
Unknown, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1689

LOCATION

ترمانين, Tarminin, Idlib, Syria

Between two and five civilians, including two children, were killed and at least 10 other civilians were injured in four airstrikes launched against the town of Tarminin in the northern countryside of Idlib. Both those that were killed and injured included patients and members of the medical staff at the hospital. According to multiple sources,

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
December 21, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
2 named
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident