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 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

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1476

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians from one family including three children and one woman died and up to 20 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood. Most sources blamed Russia for the attack, though one also pointed to the Syrian regime. According to Zamanalwasl, “Russian aircraft targeted the Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood with

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children6–1 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1475

LOCATION

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria

In what multiple sources described as a “massacre”, between 40 and 55 civilians – many of them reportedly children and women – died and up to 70 more were wounded in airstrikes on the village of Oweijal. The strikes resulted in widespread destruction to civilian homes – and, according to several reports – the destruction

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 55
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–70
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
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1474

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Halab News named a civilian as killed in an alleged Russian strike on Kafr Halab. According to Al Jazeera, “cluster bombs and rocket-propelled grenades targeted the town of Kafr Halab in the western countryside.” @FREE_TV_SYRIA, @24Aleppo, @ShahbaPress were among other sources reporting that Russian cluster bombs hit the train station in the village. @24Aleppo said

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1473

LOCATION

Al Zar'aroura, Aleppo, Syria

Five or six civilians including children and women died in a strike on the Al Za’aroura area near Kafr Naha in the western Aleppo countryside, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed the incident to Russia, though one pointed towards the regime. Several other reports didn’t identify the culprit. LCCSY put

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1–2 children2 women)
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 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1472

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

As many as 25 people from one family – named as the Eid Kabis family – died including eight children and two or three women and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Marja neighbourhood. All but one source alleged that Russia carried out the strike. According to Madar Daily, “14 members

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 25
(8–10 children1–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–25
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
13 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1471

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and eight civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Sheikh Faress neighbourhood, according to local media. LCCSY and Halab News were among sources attributing the event to Russia, and putting the death count at five civilians. According to Mojahedin: “the Civil Defence was able to lift 5 martyrs from the rubble

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1470

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In a major civilian casualty event, up to 31 civilians including at least nine children and five women from several families died and as many as 70 more were wounded in multiple airstrikes on residential buildings in Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Many sources blamed Russia for the event, though several also

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25 – 31
(9–13 children5–6 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–70
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
25 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1469

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though one said that the Syrian regime was active in Aleppo’s skies on this day, meaning its involvement in this casualty event can’t be ruled out. Halab News listed seven unidentified civilians as killed in a

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1468

LOCATION

الحيدرية, al Haydariya, Aleppo, Syria

At least one civilian died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Haydariya neighbourhood, local sources reported. According to Syrian Press Center, “the Russian air force on Sunday [Oct 16th] launched rock-based attacks on the neighborhoods of Haidariyah, Bab al-Nayrab, Sheikh Fares, Karam al-Tarab, al-Miser, Dahra Awwad,

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1466

LOCATION

النزهة, Karam al Nuzha, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Nuzha neighbourhood, local media reported. While most sources blamed Russia, several others noted that the regime was also conducting strikes in Aleppo during this period of time, meaning that it’s involvement can’t be ruled out. According to @dodoo559, “two raids

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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