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 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1673

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Multiple sources reported that up to three airstrikes struck the city of Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, killing one woman and injuring up to another nine civilians. The female victim was identified by many sources. It was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Several sources said that the strikes hit residential areas, including

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1680

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple sources reported that airs or artillery strikes targeting the Bab al-Nayrab area of Aleppo killed up to nine civilians, including two children and one woman – and wounded many more. Reports were conflicted whether this was the work of Russia or helicopters dropping barrel bombs belonging to the Assad regime. The death toll varied

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1679

LOCATION

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria

One named civilian man was reportedly killed and several more were wounded by airstrikes targeting the al-Mowasalat neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported. While most sources blamed Russia for the civilian harm, there was also an allegations against the Assad regime. The incident was reportedly part of a wider shelling of neighbourhoods in Aleppo that

Summary

First published
November 24, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1671

LOCATION

‏خان شيخون‬, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Multiple sources reported that aerial bombardment in the city of Khan Sheikun, Idlib killed at least three civilians, including two to three children, and wounded up to seven more – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2–3 children)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1670

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and seven civilians were reportedly killed by airstrikes in the city of Kafr Naha, Aleppo. Several civilians were also reportedly wounded. Shahed_Alep reported that there were “,artyrs and wounded as a result of the targeting by warplanes of a popular market in the town of Kafrnaha in the western countryside of Aleppo.” The

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1669

LOCATION

المعادي, Al-Ma'adi, Aleppo, Syria

One source, LCCSY, reported that Russian airstrikes killed an unspecified number of civilians in the city of Ma’adi in Aleppo. LCCSY reported that there were “25  martyrs in Aleppo” and that “most of them” occurred due to “Russian airstrikes on the neighborhoods of Maadi andFirdous.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1668

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were killed and several wounded during aerial shelling of al-Ferdous, Aleppo, local media reported. Some sources reported of “several” victims while most specified that number to six. For instance, Halab Today TV’s correspondent reported that: “6 civilians martyred and others injured following air raids on homes in AlFerdos in besieged Aleppo.”

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–19
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 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1682

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, warplanes struck a house in Marat, Deir Ezzor, killing up to five civilians from the same family, including children and women as well as wounding up to ‘dozens’. Several sources reported that the strikes struck residential buildings, calling the incident a “massacre”. Reportedly, the strikes struck a home belonging to the

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children2 women)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1667

LOCATION

الشيخ خضر, Sheikh Khudur, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that two civilians were killed and as many as 30 were injured following aerial shelling of the area of Sheikh Khudur, Aleppo. Syria News Desk’s correspondent in Aleppo reported that “two civilians killed and more than 30 injured in Russian warplane targeting with a vacuum missile the neighbourhood of Al-Sheikh Khudar which is

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1666

LOCATION

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that airstrikes struck the city of Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, and led to the death of two civilians and several injured. The strikes were reportedly  part of a widespread shelling of Aleppo. According to Sky News, “intensive raids targeted the neighbourhoods of the Masaken Hanano, Salah al-Din and Al Jazmati and Al Mashhad.

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1672

LOCATION

جاسم, Jassem, Daraa, Syria

An airstrike, that struck the city of Jassem in Dara’a, reportedly killed up to nine civilians and wounded dozens more, including women and children, local media said. The incident was described by several media as a “massacre”. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Sources reported between five

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1663

LOCATION

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and five civilians were killed – including three children and a woman – and as many as dozens more were wounded in an alleged airstrike which struck Al Maysar, Aleppo on the morning of the 22nd. There is conflicted reporting on who was to blame for the alleged airstrikes, with sources such as

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(3 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1662

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Two adult males were killed, and several others were wounded – including one woman – in an aerial bombardment on Binnish. According to Arabic.rt, the shelling struck two groups of armed men in the morning of the 22nd. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the raids and

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1665

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamneh, Hama, Syria

As many as nine civilians were killed – and up to 10 or more were wounded – in alleged airstrikes which struck Al Latamneh. According to sources the initial death toll was six, however this rose throughout the day. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raids. Some sources attributed blame

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(7 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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1664

LOCATION

المعادي, Al Ma'adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians – including one child – were killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on the Al Ma’adi neighbourhood, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the raid, except Halab News Network (HNN), who said that Russia was responsible. Additionally, all sources except

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(0–1 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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1656

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and four civilians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Fardous neighbourhood, although local sources were conflicted as to whether Russian or regime planes were responsible. According to sources such as @ShahbaPress and @AleppoAMC, explosive barrel bombs were dropped in the attack. The

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
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 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1657

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against Idlib City, according to sources on the ground. Local sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Aljazeera, alleged that Russian planes were responsible for the airstrikes. According to Local Coordination Committee

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1661

LOCATION

الطوب, Al Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was killed and as many as 15 other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on a clinic in Al Toub, according to sources on the ground. All sources either named Russian warplanes as a belligerent or ddin’t identify the culprit. @EuphratesPost claimed that 15 or more were wounded, whereas Smart News reported

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1655

LOCATION

كرم نزهة, Karam Nuzha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Karam Nuzha, Aleppo. Most sources attributed blame to both belligerents suggesting the aerial bombardment was possibly a joint effort. However, LCCSY blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Although no reports specifically named the number of wounded, according to

Summary

First published
November 21, 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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1654

LOCATION

حي الشعار, Al Shia'ar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed – allegedly from the same family – and some were wounded in an air and artillery strike, which one source described as a “barbaric bomb attack”, on Al Shia’ar, Aleppo. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blame Russian warplanes for the airstrikes, while others such

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(0–1 children0–1 men)
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 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1660

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Two girls were killed and dozens of other civilians were wounded in shelling and airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Douma, local media said. According to Smart News, some members of the regimes forces were also killed in the airstrikes.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged raid, with

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1653

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians – including one woman – were killed, and as many as 24 were wounded when barrel bombs were reportedly dropped on a six story building in Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. Some sources attributed the blame to Syrian regime “helicopters”, while others blamed Russian

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(1 woman)
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 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1659

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

As many as five civilians were reportedly killed – including up to three children – in alleged artillery and airstrikes “from the surrounding mountains” which struck Harasta. Both women and children were reportedly among the “dozens wounded” in the raid. Some sources such as LCCSY have blamed Russian warplanes the for alleged bombing, however other

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2–3 children1 woman)
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1658

LOCATION

ابو الظهور, Abu Al Zuhur, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were killed – including one child – and several others injured in airstrikes which struck a market place in Abu Al Zuhur – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some reports blaming Russian warplanes and others blaming the Syrian regime for the raid. Sdu Syria reported that rocket propelled

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 child)
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
4 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1647

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that up to seven civilians, including up to two children, were killed and several were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes targeting a battery factory in Idlib. Several sources reported how warplanes struck a battery factory in Idlib, causing its complete destruction. Between one and seven civilians were reportedly killed, two of them identified

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1–2 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1646

LOCATION

ارض الحمرا, Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were reportedly killed and several more were left wounded following two airstrikes targeting Ard al-Hamra, Aleppo, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Syrian regime as the culprit while

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1645

LOCATION

كرم الجبل, Karm al-Jabal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that between one and two civilians were killed and that several more were left injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Karm al-Jabal in Aleppo. All of the sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to Russian warplanes. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1644

LOCATION

جبل بدرو, Jabal Badro, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians from the same family, including a woman, were killed by airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while SPM Syria and several other sources said that helicopters had dropped explosive barrels, meaning the regime could have been responsible. Several sources identified one of

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 10
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1643

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

On November 20, 2016, up to 16 civilians, including a family of six with four children, were reportedly killed by aerial shelling containing chlorine gas in the al-Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo. Local sources differ on whether the strike can be attributed to Russia or the Syrian regime. SMART News Agency reported six civilians were killed

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 15
(4 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Cause of injury / death
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
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 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS1642

LOCATION

الشعار, Al Shia'ar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and 12 civilians, including children, were died in alleged Russian airstrikes in the al-Sha’ar neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported. Up to 60 civilians were left wounded. Several sources reported that a family – a father and his children – was among the victims. One source showed a video of a woman mourning

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 12
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
24–60
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident