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

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1504

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Three or four civilians including two girls and one woman died and as many as dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Urma al Kubra, according to local media. The White Helmets gave the lowest death count of four civilians. But all other sources put the number at four,

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 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

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1503

LOCATION

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian died and up to four more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the al Hamidiya neighborhood in the city of Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. Most sources didn’t specify the number of victims, referring only to “martyrs” and “civilian casualties”. But Euphrates Post

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1502

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Between six and eight civilians including a child and two women died and as many as dozens more were wounded in multiple airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The lowest death count was given as one by Halab Today

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
December 21, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(1 child1 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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1501

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Between four and 10 civilians including one child and one woman died and as any as 30 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Douma, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the deaths, with sources reporting that both parties carried

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1500

LOCATION

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that up to seven civilians – six of whom were named – including children and women died and dozens more were wounded in night-time airstrikes on Kafr Tkharim. The strikes reportedly hit a council building and a sports center. The majority of sources attributed this casualty event to Russia, though one report

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
20–24
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
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1499

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 10 more were wounded in an airstrike or artillery shelling of a residential area in Aleppo’s Marjah neighbourhood, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1498

LOCATION

Al Teeba, Homs, Syria

One girl died and several more civilians were wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Teeba area in Homs, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Press Center ,”Russian air strikes on Sunday [Oct 23rd] targeted a camp for the displaced in the area of Taybeh in rural northern

Summary

First published
October 23, 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1497

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a father and his son or daughter – died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two victims (a child and

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1496

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

At least one member of the civil defence died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Anadan, according to local media. One source – LCCSY – reported that there had been “16 martyrs in Aleppo following Russian raids on the town of Anadan and in clashes with what is referred to

Summary

First published
October 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 16
(1 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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1495

LOCATION

Tarei, Idlib, Syria

In what looks to have been a Syrian regime action, an elderly man and his son were reported killed by an airstrike in Tarei village, Idlib. LCCSY initially appeared to blame Russia, but in a later post attributed the deaths to the Syrian regime. Most other sources also pointed to the regime. According to the

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–1 children1–2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1494

LOCATION

Al Nakir, Idlib, Syria

One or two children died and two other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al Nakir, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Step News Agency was among sources blaming Russia, reporting that one child died in the strike. But a

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 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

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1493

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died in a strike on farmland near Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Step News Agency, LCCSY, @Sy_Reporter and Shahba Press all blamed Russia – and put the number of civilians killed at

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1492

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians including up to five children – reportedly mostly from the same family – died and up to dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Among sources attributing the event to

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4–5 children2–3 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1491

LOCATION

al Sheikh Mustapha, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Sheikh Mustapha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights on October 22nd, “the number of civilians who were killed by Russian airstrikes in the

Summary

First published
October 20, 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

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1489

LOCATION

Ma'arzita, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians including a woman and her child died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’arzita, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Intensive strikes were reported in the area, with sources reporting that both

Summary

First published
October 20, 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
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

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1490

LOCATION

Al Jidar, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Jidar, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though one indicated that the regime had also carried out raids on Idlib on this day. Russia: @syriahadath reported one civilian fatality as the result of Russia shelling. The report mentioned the use of

Summary

First published
October 20, 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

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1488

LOCATION

بابولين, Babouleen, Idlib, Syria

Between two and nine civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Babouleen, according to local media. Most sources reported that the warplane struck a civilian car with heavy machine guns. The majority of sources pointed towards the Syrian regime, though Russian actions were also reported, meaning that its involvement

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 9
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1487

LOCATION

Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Two civilian males died and at least two more were wounded – including members of the White Helmets – in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. @syriapost1 was among several sources pointing to Russia

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1486

LOCATION

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven people from the same family including between two and five children and up to two died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’ar Shmareen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The lowest death

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2–5 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1484

LOCATION

‏التمانعه‬, al Tama, Idlib, Syria

Two children died when a cluster bomb exploded in Al Tama village, Idlib, local sources reported – though it was unclear which belligerent had dropped the bomb. According to LCCSY, two children, both aged 13, “were martyred and three other civilians wounded were reported when remnants of a cluster bomb dropped by Russian warplanes exploded

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1485

LOCATION

Abou Soussa village, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians died and up to seven others were wounded in an airstrike on Abou Soussa village, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Multiple sources reported that the area was under ISIS control. The Smart News Agency blamed Russia and put the death

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1483

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Two children, a brother and a sister, died and up to dozens more civilians were injured in airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources reported that this was the work of the Syrian regime. One source, LCCSY, blamed Russian, reporting that the children died when cluster bombs were dropped

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1482

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

A member of the White Helmets died and five of his colleagues were wounded, along with “dozens more civilians” in a strike on the Civil Defence center in the city of Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Sources noted that the Civil Defence Center – “the most important center in the southern Idlib countryside”

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1480

LOCATION

Bariha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and four civilians died and five more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bariha village, according to local media. Euphrates Post, Sound and Picture and 7al all blamed Russia. A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes that carried out the attack. Euphrates Post put the death toll at four,

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1481 CS343b

LOCATION

الرميلة, al Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

Twenty civilians, reportedly from three families, died and more were wounded in airstrikes on Raqqa’s al Rumaila neighborhood, local media said. Most reports attributed the event to Russia, though one source said that the Coalition carried out a strike which led to civilian casualties. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Russian planes targeted the

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
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, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1479

LOCATION

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Syria News Desk reported “two civilians were killed and 12 others wounded, including three paramedics, this afternoon [Oct 18th], when Russian warplanes fired four missiles on residential sites and the only field hospital in the village of Jadid Ekadat”. @snewscenter also said that Russia struck the hospital.They also reported the use of cluster bombs. Many

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1478 CS343a

LOCATION

Al Basira town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that between one and two civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Basira bridge in Al Basira town. The majority of sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the strike, though there was also an allegation against Russia and Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1477

LOCATION

Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and 10 civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Sabha town in Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the event, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. The lowest death count was given as two by LCCSY, who blamed

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
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

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

R1347

LOCATION

قرية بريهة , Bariha village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that between two and four civilians died and up to another five were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bariha village. Sound and Picture put the death toll at two, though Euphrates Post said as many as four died. Radio AlKul added that five more civilians were wounded in the attack.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

R1346b

LOCATION

قرية جديد عكيدات , Jadid Akeidat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to Syria News Desk, “two civilians were killed and 12 others wounded, including three paramedics when Russian warplanes struck  residential sites and the only field hospital in the village of Jadid Ekadat”. At least two other sources also blamed Russia for the event.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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