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 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS140

LOCATION

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets reported that one adult male civilian was killed, and several others injured in an alleged bombing by Russian warplanes. However, the VDC blamed the Assad regime for the death.  

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3423

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

One child was killed and two others were injured when the remnants of a cluster bomb earlier dropped on Saraqeb, Idlib exploded. Local sources alleged that the bomb was a remnant of an earlier airstrike allegedly conducted by Russian forces over the city. Idlib Media Centre for example noted “A martyr and two wounded by

Summary

First published
May 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS2921

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed, according to local media, when airstrikes hit the vicinity of Heesh. Most local media blamed Russian warplanes, however some did not attribute blame. Civil Defence teams pulled the body from the rubble in the aftermath of the bombing on civilian homes in Heesh. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, cluster bombs and Russian rockets

Summary

First published
January 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS334

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One adult male, named by the Violations Documentation Center as media activist Yousef Abo Bilal, (aka Abu al-Homsi Joshua) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. While the VDC lists Hamidiya neighbourhood in Homs, Yousef Abo Bilal actually died in Palmyra. His non-combatant status is also questioned. As Enabbaladi notes: “Activists from the city of Homs

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS366

LOCATION

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted Maarat al Arteek with three strikes, using highly explosive missiles. They said that an automated bakery and residential buildings were damaged, which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of 10 others, including serious cases taken to field hospitals.  

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS814

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

One unnamed civilian was reported killed and two or more injured in alleged regime (or possibly Russian) airstrikes on Maskaneh. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
May 28, 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

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3909

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

One man was reported killed in airstrikes on Al Latamina, Hama, on July 16th. Kafr Zeta TV documented “the martyrdom of “Badr Haitham Al-Mahmoud” nick name (Al Kateb), 25, as a result of Russian air strikes of the city of Latamina in the northern suburbs of Hama.” Two other sources reported the attack, but did not

Summary

First published
July 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1055 RS2300

LOCATION

طيبة, Al Taybeh, Homs, Syria

One male baby was named as a victim of an airstrike on Raqqa by some local sources. However, this appears to have been a reporting error – with the child in fact likely to have been killed in a Russian, regime or Coalition airstrike on al Taybeh, east of Palmyra. MC Palmyra added that members

Summary

First published
June 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1339

LOCATION

دوار البكرة, Al Mayadin, al Bakra roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian girl  was reported killed after air strikes during the night, near Ali Bin Abi Taleb mosque in Deir Ezzor. At present there is a single allegation in a Smart report against the US-led Coalition, though this is contested in a Facebook post by Free Deir Ezzor which attributed the strikes to “Russian criminal

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS4002

LOCATION

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Mouqa, Idlib governorate, on August 10th, 2019, according to local sources. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Ahmad Mohammad al Sourani was killed in shelling by Syrian regime forces missiles launcher on Mouqa village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate,

Summary

First published
August 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1217

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike with cluster bombs on Sarmin in Idlib governorate, according to local media. Alamawi, Rozana FM, Derynews, LCCSY and the Syrian Network for Human Rights all attributed the event to Russia, with many sources reporting the use of cluster bombs.

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1899

LOCATION

بصرى الشام , Basra al Sham, Daraa, Syria

Local media reported the death of one adult male civilian (named below) in an airstrike on Basra al Sham. Most sources attributed the strike to Russia – and published images showing widespread destruction in the town. Civilian homes and a school were among the buildings reportedly damaged. However Aljazeera and several other sources reported that the

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
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

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2050

LOCATION

كنيسة نخلة, Kanissat Nakhla, Idlib, Syria

A woman was killed and as many as four other civilians were wounded, in an alleged Russian raid on Kanissat Nakhla, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or unidentified warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights singularly reported that a school (Nakhla Church School) was struck in the raid, and published

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2079

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that Zayed Awad al Rajab was the victim of Russian warplane shelling on Kafr Zita.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2269b

LOCATION

حمادة عمر , Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria

Local sources reported the killing of Roz Mohammad al-Ibraheem, an adult female, by warplanes, likely to be Russian, in the village of Hamada Omar in rural Hama. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
June 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2582

LOCATION

قرية الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was killed and several other civilians were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes in al-Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Euphrates Post summed up the event by reporting “the martyrdom of the child Ali Mohi Al-Hussein Al-Ramdan in addition to the injury of three people.” Most sources reported that two raids had been launched, except @JFLngo,

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2517

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and they identified Russian forces as responsible for the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS2618

LOCATION

الطيانة, Al-Tayaneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was reportedly killed by airstrikes on the town of Al-Tayaneh, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it was unclear who was to blame. Activists on the ground told Smart News Agency that “the aircraft bombarded a crossing on the Euphrates River in the town of al Tayana connecting the eastern and western banks,

Summary

First published
October 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2698

LOCATION

عبيان, Obiyan, Hama, Syria

One elderly man from Ebayyan village was reportedly killed in an airstrike on Obiyan. Sources reported that Russian warplanes were to blame for the man’s death. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Mohammad al Ali, age 50, from Ebayyan village affiliated to al Saboura county in Hama governorate eastern suburbs, killed as suspected Russian

Summary

First published
November 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

December 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2782

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike which hit a river crossing in Hajeen, local sources said. There were no reports of any wounded civilians. Sources mostly blamed Russia for the strikes, however some did not attribute blame. On December 5th, Euphrates Post reported that the strikes occurred two days ago, however all others sources

Summary

First published
December 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

January 9, 2018

Incident Code

RS2879

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria

A civilian was reportedly killed when airstrikes hit his vegetable truck in Kafr Zeita.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some local media attributed blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. One local source called it is “military raid”, not naming a belligerent. One source reported that there were some

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3773

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Kafar Zeita, Hama, on June 7th. Smart News reported that “local activists told “Smart” that a civilian, working as a teacher of the French language, was killed as a result of the aerial bombardment of Kafar Zeita.” Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Abdul

Summary

First published
June 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS473

LOCATION

المرج, Marj, Damascus, Syria

A single source, the White Helmets, reported that one child, named as Hussan Murad, was killed and several other civilians injured in alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes on the Marj area of eastern Ghouta. VDC said the boy died “Due to the regime air forces’ shelling,” while the Damascus media office described 10 strikes by unspecified warplanes. According

Summary

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

June 15, 2019

Incident Code

RS3811

LOCATION

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria

While one source reported “victims” in airstrikes on Al Zakat and other locations in Hama, on June 15th, another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties. Shaam News names both Russia and the Syrian regime in the reporting of the event, while Smart News does not

Summary

First published
June 15, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

February 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS569

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network alleged that Russian warplanes launched “intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang, Tal Mssibain, Ma’arat al Arteek,Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafr Hamra, Kafr Naya, Miskan and the area of Qabr al Inglisi [the english tomb]. The raids led to the fall of

Summary

First published
February 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

June 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3828

LOCATION

العامرية, Al Amiriya, Idlib, Syria

One woman was reported killed on airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling on Al Amiriya, Idlib, on June 20th. Idlib Plus named the women victim to the attack as Hala Abd Al Qader Hassoun. However, other sources mentioned that the victim is a child. Step Agency reported that “a military air raid on Amiriya north of Khan Sheikhoun

Summary

First published
June 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS729

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified woman as a victim of an alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
March 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Incident Code

RS3100

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported on two different platforms that joint Russian/Syrian regime shelling killed one civilian in Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Currently, there are no further details available.

Summary

First published
February 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2019

Incident Code

RS3989

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on Kafar Zeita after midnight on August 1st, 2019. While multiple sources reported the strikes, only the Syrian Civil Defence reported civilian casualties. The Syrian Civil Defence in Hama (@civil_hama) reported that three civilians were injured as a result of airstrikes by Russian aircraft

Summary

First published
August 1, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1589

LOCATION

مخبز شمسين, Shamseen Bread Factory, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed and ten more injured when a Russian strike allegedly hit Shamseen bread factory in western Aleppo. @SCDaleppo said both of the kilns used for bread making were destroyed in the attack. In addition to the destruction of the bakery, sources alleged parts of the “Damascus highway” where the bakery was situated

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
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