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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1743

LOCATION

ام شرشوح , Umm Sharshouh, Homs, Syria

Two adult male civilians (named below) died in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Umm Sharshouh, according to source son the ground. Most reports blamed the regime – though multiple sources also noted that Russia had carried out strikes on both Umm Sharshouh and Al Ghantu (see event Rs1742). According to the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1742

LOCATION

الغنطو , Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

In what was widely reported as a regime shelling, between five and eight civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in Al Ghantu. According to LCCSY, “five civilians were martyred and dozens injured in the bombing by Assad’s forces, using rockets and heavy artillery shells, on the town of Al-Ghantu the northern

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(4 children)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1741

LOCATION

تفتناز , Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that one or two civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike with phosphorus and cluster bombs on Taftanaz. The Shaam News Network said that one civilian died, however, Shade2taftanaz reported the death of two women.

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
December 21, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1748

LOCATION

ريف حماة الشرقي, Eastern countryside of Hama, Hama, Syria

As many as two civilians were killed, with several “confirmed injured”, in airstrikes on the Eastern countryside of Hama, according to local media. Only one source attributed blame to Russian warplanes, whereas the rest blamed the Syrian regime. According to Airwars researchers, all the sources apart from Smart News are allegedly Syrian regime propaganda. Additionally there

Summary

First published
December 5, 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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1747

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and two men were killed – and several injured – in an alleged Russian aerial bombardment on Kafr Naha, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged attack. According to Syria News Desk, the two men were police officers. Halab News, on the other hand, reported that the victim was

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1746

LOCATION

جسر الحج, Jisr al Haji area, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisr al Haji area, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Halab News Network first tweeted that the Syrian regime were to blame for using both artillery shells and rocket launchers on the vicinity. It later posted on their Facebook page that three civilians

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1745

LOCATION

الانصاري, Al Ansari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source reported that five unidentified civilians were killed “following Russian enemy raids on Al Ansari neighbourhood”.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
December 5, 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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1744

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬ , Marjah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as nine civilians from the same family were killed, and some were wounded, in an alleged Russian raid on Marjah, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the attack. Although one source reported that four were killed, most others suggested it was a family of nine who were killed. According to the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(3 children)
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1740

LOCATION

ادلب المدينة, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

On December 5, 2016, at least 16 civilians were killed and between 15 and 24 were wounded in an aerial bombardment which struck Idlib city. It is unclear who was to blame, with most sources attributing blame to Russia, and some sources blaming the Syrian regime. Smart News reported that according to two activists, the

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(9–12 children1–3 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
14 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS1738

LOCATION

حريتان , Hraitan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One girl died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraitan, according to local media. Halab Today reported “the martyrdom of the girl Yasmine Shaheen and the injury of five civilians, mostly children, as a result of Russian air strikes on the city of Hreitan in the northern countryside of Aleppo”. The victim was also named

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1737

LOCATION

حي المغاير , Al Maghayer neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime strikes on Aleppo’s Al Maghayer neighbourhood, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among sources blaming Russia. However, the BBC pointed to the regime, reporting: “The armed opposition said government aviation continued its raids on the eastern

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1736

LOCATION

حي الفردوس , Al Fardous neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that a mother and her three children died in Aleppo’s Al Fardous neighbourhood. The majority of sources blamed a Russian airstrike, however, there was also a claim that a tank shell caused the deaths. Husseintalal reported that “a baby girl lost her father, mother and brothers by aerial bombardment of the Russian

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 children1 woman1 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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1735

LOCATION

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

Between five and eight civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. The lowest death count was give as five civilians – with seven more wounded – by the White Helmets. According

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1739

LOCATION

قرية أورم الصغرى, Urma al Sughra village, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that three children died and an unspecified number of other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Urma al Sughra village. However, only one source – Halab News – explicitly blamed Russia, reporting the use of bunker-busting missiles. Other sources did not apportion blame.

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1734

LOCATION

معرة النعمان , Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

In a major civilian casualty event, up to 38 civilians including as many as 11 children died and dozens more were wounded when alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes struck a major vegetable market in the town of Maarat al Numan. Sources said that the strike occurred at 2.45pm, when the market – which also

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33 – 38
(5–11 children1–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
33 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1731

LOCATION

حي الشعار , Al Shia’ar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians died and a dozen or more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Shia’ar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Arab24, “the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that three people were killed and about 12 others were injured on Saturday [Dec 3rd] by the bombing

Summary

First published
December 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1730

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى , Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two or three civilians including a child and a woman died and up to five more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orme al Kubra, according to local media. LCCSY reported that a child and a woman died in a Russian airstrike. Syria News Desk, however, put the death toll at three (including

Summary

First published
December 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1729

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Several civilians died and were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, local media reported. According to Halab News, “Russian enemy planes targeted the city of Anadan in the northern Aleppo countryside this morning [Dec 1st] with several raids, leading the martyrdom of several people and the injury of others – along with material damage”.

Summary

First published
December 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1728

LOCATION

حي الانصاري, Al Ansari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

AleppoAMC reported that eight civilians died from “air and artillery shelling” in Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood, though it didn’t specify the culprit. According to @friend_sy “helicopters targeted the vicinity of Zarzur hospital in Al-Ansari district in Aleppo, the only hospital remaining in the besieged neighborhoods of Aleppo, and destroyed an ambulance”. A number of other sources

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1727

LOCATION

حي كرم البيك , Karam al Bayk neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

AleppoAMC reported that three civilians died in “air and artillery shelling” in Aleppo’s Karam al Bayk neighbourhood – but didn’t specify the culprit of the civilian harm. According to LCCSY, “by the end of Tuesday 29/11/2016 the LCCSY documented the deaths of 85 martyrs in Syria including 16 children and 10 women: 54 martyrs in Aleppo

Summary

First published
November 29, 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

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1726

LOCATION

حي, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians including a child died in alleged Russia or Assad regime air and/or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Salheen neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. AleppoAMC said that nine had died 9 in “air raids and artillery shelling”. LCCSY pointed towards Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1725

LOCATION

حي الميسر, Al Mayssar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians died in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Several sources reported the use of cluster bombs. On November 29th, Shof reported: “Activists said cluster bombs targeted the neighborhoods of Qatraji, al-Myaser, Dhahra Awwad and Al Mouasalat. The civil defense

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
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

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1724

LOCATION

حي القاطرجي, Al Qaterji neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One woman died and a number of other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. It was unclear whether Russia or the regime were to blame. There were allegations against both parties – and reports that chlorine gas had been dropped from helicopters. According to Anapress, “Russian and

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1723

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, Aleppo [seems to be road between bab al Nayrab and Jib al Qibba], Aleppo, Syria

In a large-scale civilian casualty incident, referred to as “a massacre”, between 17 and 28 civilians, including multiple families, died in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and/or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Bab al Nairab, on what looks to be road between bab al Nayrab and Jib al Qibba. Multiple sources said that the strikes

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 28
Civilians reported injured
12–40
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1722

LOCATION

معارة النعسان , Maarat al Ni’ssan, Idlib, Syria

Several local sources reported the death of one civilian and wounding of several more in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Ni’ssan. According to LCCSY, “a martyr fell and several civilians were injured in the town of Maarat al Ni’ssan north of the city [Idlib] after it was targeted with air raids by Russian warplanes.”

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1721

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from one family – a man, his wife and his son – died and two other children from the family were wounded in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to soirces on the ground. Egypt Today: “On Monday, at least eight raids were carried out on areas in the town of Khan Sheikhan

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
December 21, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1720

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media named six people killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike in Kafr Zita – though most sources said that the victims were fighters. According to several reports. The Step News Agency reported that “Russian fighter jets renewed their bombardment of areas of Hama north Tuesday evening 29th of November

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–8 men)
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1716

LOCATION

الغنطو , Al Ghinto, Homs, Syria

In what was widely reported as a regime attack, at least four civilians – including a child and three women – died and as many as dozens more (including children) were wounded in a shelling at Al Ghinto in Homs. While most of the allegations were against Assad rockets, there was also a report that Russia

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(1 child3 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1715

LOCATION

الصالحين , Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 35 civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Salheen neighbourhood, though it was unclear whether the regime or Russia were responsible. @MohAlkhatieb tweeted that the civil defense had removed eight dead civilians from the rubble in Salheen following a strike with a barrel bomb. According to @mahmoodtalha22, two civilians died in the

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 35
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

RS1714

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Qaterji neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died in an  airstrike on Aleppo’s Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources said that the civilian harm was caused by a chlorine attack from helicopters, though some other reports pointed towards Russia and cited the use of cluster bombs and rockets. Nabd explictly said that “Assad helicopters threw explosive barrels of chlorine

Summary

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