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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1444

LOCATION

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Ansari neighbourhood, according to local media. Radio Alkul, Shahba and Sadatawheed put the death toll at five with others wounded and blamed Russia. Halab News listed “five unidentified civilians killed, following Russian enemy raids on al Ansari neighbourhood”.

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1445

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan al A’ssal, according to local media. The victim was named by the Violations Documentation Center and Halab News, both of which blamed Russia for his death. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
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

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1446

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local media. SRG_Syria tweeted that there were “five martyrs and many wounded due to Russian warplanes raids in Kafr Naha in Aleppo.” Al Jazeera, Syria Press and Syria News Dersk also put the death toll at five, while Halab News listed five

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1443

LOCATION

الزبدية, al Zabadia, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians died and up to 10 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Zabadiyeh neighbourhood, according to local media. Shahba and Micro Syria blamed Russia, putting the death toll at three. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
6–10
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1442

LOCATION

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Halak neighbourhood, according to local media. Baladi put the death toll at three, but like most sources didn’t identify the culprit. The Shaam News Network noted that both Russia and the regime shelled

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1441

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Kalassa neighbourhood, local media reported. According to LCCSY, there were “six martyrs and some wounded, most of them still stuck under the rubble, after Russian warplanes carried out bunker buster missile attacks on Kalasah neighborhood.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “suspected

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1440

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In what local media referred to as a “massacre”, up to 50 civilians died and as many as 51 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes which hit a popular vegetable market and residential buildings in Aleppo’s Al Ferdos neighbourhood. Halab News listed 45 bodies as a result of the strikes, with

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
45 – 50
(2–4 children)
Civilians reported injured
11–51
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1438

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Mayssar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network on October 12th, “Russian and Assad aircraft did not stop from flying in the skies of Aleppo and its countryside and launched dozens of air

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1439

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. More than one source suggested the use of “phosphorus missiles” which is intentionally banned.  Halab News listed two unidentified civilians as killed “following Russian enemy raids with bunker busting missiles”. According to the Shaam

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1437

LOCATION

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians, a mother and her two children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jarjanaz. Shahba reported: “Two children were killed with their mom in a Russian warplanes shelling in Jarjanaz and others wounded.” Halab Today TV published a similar report. All of the other sources reported that a

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1436

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Between one and five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Talbissa. Smart News wrote that “one civilian was killed and 10 were wounded due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling in Talbisa.” Almarsad Alsori Almowahad named a male victim on Twitter and posted a picture of

Summary

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

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1435

LOCATION

كفرلاها, Kafr Laha, Homs, Syria

Five or six civilians were reported killed in air and artillery strikes on Kafr Laha, according to sources on the ground. All but one source blamed the regime for this incident, though the Shaam News Network said that “Russian and Assad warplanes” launched strikes on areas of Homs including Kafr Laha. Al Jazeera put the

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1434

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians including a woman and her baby or foetus were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Douma. RadioAlKul wrote: “More than 25 warplane raids in Douma in addition to extensive artillery shelling which killed two and wounded more than 30.” Bof-sy reported the lowest death count saying

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1433

LOCATION

جوبر‎, Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1432

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed and “many” more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Al Assal near Aleppo. Shahba wrote that “two were killed and many civilians wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Khan Al-Assal in the western countryside of Aleppo.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Halab News also reported two

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1431

LOCATION

صوران, Souran, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in either Russian, Turkish or ISIS artillery shelling on Souran near Aleppo. Baladi wrote that “three civilians were killed due to artillery shelling by ISIS in Souran.” However, according to Syrian Mirror, “three women were killed in Turkish artillery shelling in Souran north of Aleppo.” The Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(0–3 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, ISIS, Turkish Military, ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1430

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One or two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on the Al Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo. HNN reported one woman was killed by a missile. Qasioun said that “Russian warplanes shelling Qaterji killed two civilians while the White Helmets are still searching for survivors in the rubble.” Other sources published

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(0–1 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1429

LOCATION

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

In what local media described as a ‘massacre’, 52 civilians including up to 10 children and seven women died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Bustan al-Qasr  in Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. There were reports of bunker-busting missiles

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
52
(7–10 children7 women37 men)
Civilians reported injured
20–35
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
47 named, 9 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1428

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In what local media described as “a massacre”, between six and 16 civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Aleppo’s al-Ferdos neighbourhood. Up to 50 more people were reportedly wounded in the attack. In a video taken by SafwanAhmad1, of a civilian casualty being dug from the rubble another airstrike

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 16
Civilians reported injured
12–51
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 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1426

LOCATION

حي كرم الجبل, Karam al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources, the city of Karam al-Jabal in Aleppo was struck by artillery strikes that led to the deaths of three civilians. All sources but one – Shaam News Network (who blamed both Russia and the regime) pointed to the regime as the culprit. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “three

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1427

LOCATION

الزربة, al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Six named civilians from the same family, including two children, died in an airstrike on the town al-Zirba in Aleppo, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center “regime warplanes shelled Zirba after midnight, killing four civilians

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 man)
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
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1425

LOCATION

Khan al Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan al-Assal. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights,“two victims died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles firing on Khan Al Asal town in Aleppo governorate western suburbs”. However, Smart News Agency said that there were no reports of

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1423

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

One woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Idlib, according to sources on the ground. The Twitter account Maaramc12 reported that “there was an unidentified female martyr and 20 wounded in Idlib as a result of three Russian raids in Idlib”. Other sources,

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 woman)
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
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1424

LOCATION

Sadd al Loz, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including a child and a woman died and up to 20 more people were injured in air and/or artillery strikes on Sad al-Luz in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia. The media opposition activist

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–20
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1422

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported that an alleged Russian airstrike on the suburb Douma in Damascus wounded several civilians, though there were no claims of fatalities. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes raids in both eastern and western Ghouta caused fires but no reports of civilian casualties. Activists said there were two raids in the

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1421

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three men died in an airstrike on the al-Salheen neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed the event to the Assad regime, though there was one allegation against Russia. LCCSY reported that “three civilians were martyred and others were seriously injured due to Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1419

LOCATION

الظاهرية, Al Zhahiria, Idlib, Syria

Three children died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al-Zhahiria village, according to local media. According to LCCSY, “three children were martyred as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric missile attacks on #Zhahiria village in the western suburb”. This claim was repeated by many other sources. There was no information available on the identity

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1420

LOCATION

الغسانية, Al Ghassania, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that aerial shelling in al-Ghassania, outside Idlib, killed one woman and injured 15 more civilians. While most sources attributed this civilian casualty event to Russia, there were also allegations against the Syrian regime. According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes shelled  Al-Ghassania village in Idlib and killed a woman and

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1418

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

According to local media, an airstrike on Heesh village near Idlib killed a family of four: a father, mother and two children – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One report claimed that there were five deaths. According to the Shaam News Network, the strikes hit a

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children1 woman1 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
4 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1417

LOCATION

Al Masra'a al Thania, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians including two children and up to three women died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania near Maskana in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Press Center, “two children were killed and others wounded due to warplanes shelling in Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania and the sugar factory

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2–3 women1 man)
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
View Incident