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 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

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1686

LOCATION

التليلات , Tlailat area, Aleppo southern countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Two adult male civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Tlailat area in Aleppo’s southern countryside, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently known.

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1685

LOCATION

تقاد, Taqad, western Aleppo counntryside, Aleppo, Syria

Between 12 and 50 civilians including women and children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Taqad, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Multiple reports said that a mosque was struck and other civilian property damaged. The majority of sources attributed the event to Moscow, though there was one

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 50
(4–6 children4 women4 men)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
12 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1684

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians including two children were killed and as many as 15 more were wounded following airstrikes targeting Douma, Damascus, local media reported. Sources were unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Most sources reported that the incident led to the death of three civilians, with several reports saying that two children

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1678

LOCATION

الشعار, Al Shia'ar , Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians were killed, including one woman, and several more were wounded, including children, following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Aleppo’s Al-Sha’ar neighbourhood, local sources reported. AleppoAMC reported that “martyrs and wounded and burned people were under  the rubble as a result  helicopter gunships targeting the Al-Sha’ar neighborhood east of Aleppo”. Several sources reported

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1677

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 25 civilians, including children and women, were killed and up to 30 more wounded, as a result of aerial shelling in the Aleppo neighbourhood of Al Mashad local sources reported. Sources varied regarding the number of fatalities, with the lowest at five and highest reported by ShahbaPress at 25. Several sources reported

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 25
(5–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–30
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1676

LOCATION

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that the al-Maysar neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo was struck by air and artillery strikes, resulting in the death of up to 15 civilians, including children and one woman. Dozens more people were reportedly injured. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Besides few

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 15
(2 children1 woman11 men)
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
14 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1683

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Following a lethal attack on the village of Marat, Deir Ezzor, the previous day, the village was reportedly struck by airstrikes again on the 24th, resulting in up to five civilian fatalities and several more people being wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Deir Ezzor radio

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1675

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya , Damascus, Syria

Local media reported that airstrikes (possibly also artillery) struck an area near a school in the city of Hamouriya, Damascus, killing and injuring several civilians, including a high number of children. Reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Several civilians (between one and two) were reportedly

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1674

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Several civilians were reportedly killed and injured when up to four airstrikes struck  the town of Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. LCCSY reported that “Russian warplanes launched four airstrikes with thermobaric missiles on the neighborhoods in #Harasta city in the Eastern Ghouta, which led to casualties among civilians and destruction of buildings.”  LCCSY

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1681

LOCATION

قرية براتة, Barata, Aleppo, Syria

This single-source incident reports that Russian airstrikes killed one child and two women in the village of Barata, Aleppo. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights “at least three civilians (one child and two women) died due to suspected Russian warplanes firing missiles on Barata village in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, November 24, 2016.”

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident