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 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1650

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed – another source reported “martyrs” suggesting multiple – and between one and two were wounded following alleged air and artillery strikes on Arbeen. Sources are conflicted regrading who was to blame. Two sources blamed Syrian regime warplanes for the raids, and only one blamed Russia. Other sources remained impartial.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1651

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

In a single source claim, three named adult males were killed due to Russian shelling on Saqba. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1652

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

In a single source claim, five civilians were killed – including three brothers under the age of 18 and their mother, and a man – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1638

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and as many as 15 more were injured following airstrikes targeting al-Fardous, Aleppo, local sources reported.  The sources were, however, not clear as to whether the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame for the strikes. Sources reported that between two and four

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1635

LOCATION

حي الانصاري, Al-Ansari, Aleppo, Syria

Airstrikes targeting Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood reportedly killed between five and seven civilians and wounded up to dozens, reported local media – though sources disagreed as to whether the strikes were carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. None of the victims were identified by name, but most sources reported that the death toll

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1639

LOCATION

الهللك, Huluk, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that Syrian or Russian airstrikes and artillery killed up to four civilians and injured several more in the al-Huluk neighbourhood, Aleppo. Sources reported that al-Huluk was among the many neighbourhoods in Aleppo which was subject to air raids and artillery shelling that day. The shelling reportedly killed between three and four civilians. While

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
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 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1636

LOCATION

قاضي عسكر, Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians, including two children and two women, were reportedly killed and more than 20 were wounded due to alleged Russian or joint Russian-Syrian regime shelling of Qadi Askar, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most sources reported that eight civilians were killed by the airstrikes, while just one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1640

LOCATION

باب الحديد, Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly killed in an air or artillery strike on the Bab al-Hadid neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to a single source. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “at least four victims died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Bab Al Hadeed neighborhood in Aleppo city, November 19, 2016.” There were few

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1637

LOCATION

الصاخور, al-Sakhour, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that several civilians were killed and injured following Russia or Assad regime airstrikes targeting the city of al-Sakhour, Aleppo. Sources did not provide detailed information about the victims, and most sources merely referred to ‘several’ or ‘numbers’ of killed and wounded. However, several reports mentioned that the city had been struck by

Summary

First published
November 19, 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 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1641

LOCATION

مرج الزهور, Marj Al Zuhur, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airstrikes, targeting the village of Marj al-Zuhour in the countryside of Idlib, killed up to nine civilians, reportedly from the same family, including one woman and three children, and injured up to another 24. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Most sources put the death

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1620

LOCATION

بلدة حريتان, Hraytan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 10 civilians were killed and “dozens” injured in an airstrike on Hraytan, Aleppo, according to a report by the Step News Agency. Step said: “More than ten killed and dozens injured – most of them women and children – and survivors were pulled out from under the rubble following Russian raids on the

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1628

LOCATION

حي جسر الحج , Jisr al Haj neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Halab News listed two unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike in Jisr al Haj neighbourhood, Aleppo. @ShahbaPress and @Syrianewstime also tweeted that two civilians were killed by Russian warplanes. However, @rola1katib, @RfsNorth, @alepponow1 all reported that helicopters had dropped barrel bombs on the neighbourhood, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out.  

Summary

First published
November 18, 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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1624

LOCATION

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as six civilians – including women and children – suffocated to death, and up to 19 were injured, when an explosive barrel containing poisonous chloride gas struck the residential neighbourhood named Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged chloride attack. Some sources

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1621

LOCATION

بلدة حيان, Hayyan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Hayyan Town, Aleppo – though it is unclear whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible, with conflicting reports. Civil Defense Personnel named one of the civilians who was killed as Fuad Mohammed Hayek. Some sources, such as Emaratalyoum News reported that it was Assad’s regime

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1629

LOCATION

حي كرم الطراب , Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

On Friday, November 18, 2016, local media reported that two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian bombing of the Karam al Tarab neighbourhood in Aleppo, northwestern Syria. Syriansnews reported that various neighborhoods in Aleppo, including Karam al Tarab, had been hit with artillery bombings and airstrikes on the day of the incident. Halab News

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1625

LOCATION

حي الصاخور, Al Sakhour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Four to six civilians were killed, and up to 24 were wounded in alleged air and artillery strikes on Al Sakhour, Aleppo. Some sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. However, one source blamed both belligerents for this airstrike. There was confusion among sources as to the type of bomb used

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1622

LOCATION

جمعية الهادي, Jami'yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, a child and an elderly woman, were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jami’yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, according to local media. All of the known sources which attributed the event to a belligerent, reported that Russian warplanes were responsible. Shahba Press reported that the event was Russian air raids, whilst Step News

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1630

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

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

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1631

LOCATION

حي السكري , Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and four civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Sukkari neighbourhood, according to local media. Sky News blamed the regime. Halab News listed four unidentified civilians as killed by a Russian raid. A number of other sources said two civilians died.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1626

LOCATION

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

One civilian was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike which struck Al-Bayan Surgical Hospital in Al-Sha’ar neighborhood, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources have attributed blame to the Syrian regime for the alleged airstrikes, and others have blamed Russian warplanes. At least one elderly man was reported wounded, however, others sources

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1632

LOCATION

كفر ناها , Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Halab News named one victim, Yunus Ali Abd al Rahman (also named by Hamza AlYousuf) as killed in a Russian strike on Kafr Naha, Aleppo. However, Halab News was the only outlet that directly accused Russia of carrying out raids; other sources didn’t apportion blame.

Summary

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

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1627

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as ten civilians were killed – and dozens more were wounded – in alleged air and artillery strikes which struck Salheen, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the raids. However, one local

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(0–1 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1633

LOCATION

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

Between four and ten civilians including a woman and up to three children died and as many as 17 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to Russia, putting the death toll

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
August 12, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(2–3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
17
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1634

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Up to 20 civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in air or and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though Syriansnews said that “Russia and Assad” had launched multiple strikes on Damascus, including Douma, on this day. Syrian Reporter said: “Our correspondent in al-Ghouta

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
August 12, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1617

LOCATION

بلدة عرادة, Arada Town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as seven civilians from one family were killed and more than 13 others injured in an airstrike on the village of Arada in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources remain unclear as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The source Aksalsear News, reported that the family died as a

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(4–5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
13
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1618

LOCATION

كفر ناصح, Kafr Nasseh, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed and between five and ten wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Nasseh, Aleppo. Syria News Desk reported that “a civilian was killed and five others wounded by Russian aviation raids targeting the town of Kafr Nasseh with cluster bombs.” Whilst the source Aleppo AMC also reported that

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1619

LOCATION

ياقد العدس, Yaqid Al Adas Village, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and dozens wounded in a raid of concussion rockets on Yaqid Al Adas, Aleppo, according to multiple sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Khalid al-Qasim, a field activist in Northern Aleppo, told Ara News that the death toll was

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 30
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 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1599

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Five possible civilians reportedly died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo. The Syrian News Desk said 15 others were wounded and blamed Russia. @Assad_wolverine tweeted, “a military officer of the Army of Mujahideen Free Army was killed in an airstrike on his car”- the source did not identify

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 5
(1 man)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1612

LOCATION

الصالحين, Al Salheen, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and four civilians died, and two children were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Saheen, Aleppo – though it was unclear whether the Syrian regime or Russian forces were responsible for the event. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, tweeting that two children were wounded “as a result of the bombing of

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1615

LOCATION

كفربطنا, Kafr Batna, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

A number of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Batna, Eastern Ghouta, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to which belligerent was responsible for the event. Similar to most other sources reporting on this event, @kafrbatna2011 did not identify the warplanes responsible, they did however report that

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 13
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