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 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

RS1467

LOCATION

Bab al Nasr, Aleppo, Syria

At least one civilian died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Bab al Nasr neighbourhood, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though several also pointed towards the Syrian regime. A number of other reports didn’t identify the culprit, saying that both Russia and the regime were carrying out strikes on Aleppo – including on Bab

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
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

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

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1465

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One or two civilians died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according local media.Halab News put the death toll at one and blamed Russia. Smo-sy and @ALAMAWI were among other sources that attributed the event to Moscow. The Smart News Agency reported that “two civilians died

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1464

LOCATION

قطنا, al Qatana, Rif Dimashq, Syria

One or two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qatana neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though some reports said that the regime also carried out strikes in Aleppo during this period, meaning that its involvement can’t be definitively ruled out. Moreover, a number of

Summary

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

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1463

LOCATION

ترمانين, Termamin, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 11 civilians died and up to 25 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Termamin town, according to local sources. The lowest death count was given by @NewsFlashNet at at least nine. RevoSpring said that 10 people died, while Halab News joined most sources in putting the figure

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1462

LOCATION

جزرايا, Jazaria, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and 20 civilians including a child and two women died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Jazaria village, according to sources on the ground. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least four civilians including one girl and two women died due to

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1461

LOCATION

Karam al Tarab, Aleppo, Syria

Two or more civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground, Only @Free_TV_SYRIA gave specific casualty figures of two killed – and blamed Russia. Other sources reported an unspecified number of deaths an injuries, mainly referring only

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1460

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Six or seven civilians died 20 more were wounded, including women and children, in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Mayysar neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Halab News listed six unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike. But Shahba Press put the death toll at seven. Alaraby reported

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1458

LOCATION

Al Ghinto, Homs, Syria

One civilian, named as Jihad Saadallah Assaf, died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Ghinto village, according to local media. Smart News Agency reported that “four civilians, including three women, were killed today [Oct 15th] by an aerial and artillery bombardment on the town of Talbessa

Summary

First published
October 15, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1459

LOCATION

Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Three women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike Talbissa, according to sources on the ground. Homs Media Centre added that 16 civilians were wounded in the incident. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
16
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 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1457

LOCATION

كفرلاها, Hoola, Homs, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, “the head of the Hula sector of the civil defence was injured on Saturday [Oct 15th] as a result of an airstrike by regime planes targeting the city of Hula in rural Homs.” According to Homs Media Centre, this raid struck a school. They published a video showing damage

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1456

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

Five or six civilians civilians including a 20-day-old girl and a boy aged six months died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike and/or artillery strike on a medical centre in Al Latamna, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports blamed Russia, though two pointed to the Assad regime. Victims reportedly

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1455

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two or three civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. LCCSY put the death toll at two, though the Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights were among the majority of sources saying that at

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
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 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1454

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and up to 12 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local sources. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck. The majority of sources attributed the deaths to Russia, though one report also said that the regime had carried out strike on Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1453

LOCATION

الشيخ خضر, al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Syria

In what most sources said was a regime artillery strike, one female child died in Aleppo’s Al Sheikh Khader neighbourhood. Syrian Press Center and Micro Syria, Jisrtv and Masar Press reported: “A female child was killed and others wounded due to artillery shelling in Sheikh Khader.” Syria News Desk was the only source who blamed

Summary

First published
October 13, 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

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1452

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three or four civilians including a woman and a child died and up to seven more were injured in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Aleppo’s Al Sakhour neighbourhood, according to local media. Syrian Press Centre and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights both reported that “Russian warplanes targeted the medical centre in

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1451

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and several others – reportedly children – were wounded in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources reported the use of phosphorous missiles and cluster bomb in the attack. Harhoor991 said that “at 4am there was extensive warplane shelling in Aleppo and

Summary

First published
October 13, 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 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1450

LOCATION

ارض الحمرا, Al Ard al Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and nine more were wounded in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime air or artillery strike on Aleppo’s Al Ard al Hamra neighbourhood. According to Zaitonmag, “Assad artillery shelling in Ard Al-Hamra wounded nine people badly.” Halab News listed one unidentified civilian as killed in a Russian strike on Al Ard al

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1449

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Bustan al Basha neighbourhood, according to local media. Halab News listed on unidentified civilian as killed in a Russian raid. The Shaam News Network also put the death toll at one, but reported that both Russia and the regime carried out strikes

Summary

First published
October 13, 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

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1448

LOCATION

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

Between 10 and 51 civilians including an entire family died and up to 30 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood, according to source son the ground. The majority of reports blamed Russia for the incident, though the Shaam News Network said that regime warplanes also carried out strikes in

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 51
(3–9 children1–8 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–30
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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1447

LOCATION

‏التمانعه‬, al Tamana, Idlib, Syria

One woman died and three other civilians including two children were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Al Tamana’a town, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported that “Russian planes launched several raids using bunker-busting missiles after mid night targeting al Taman’a town in southern Idlib, killing

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident