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 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1416

LOCATION

Rasim al Eis, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on  Rasum al Eis village in Aleppo, according local media. The strikes also reportedly wounded a number of people, including children. Most sources put the death toll at one. For example Halab Today said that “one person was martyred and three children were wounded

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1415

LOCATION

البلاط, al Balat, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, the neighbourhood al-Balat in Aleppo was hit by air and/or artillery strikes which led to the death of one child and the injury of several more people, including the child’s father. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, although the majority of

Summary

First published
October 8, 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 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS329

LOCATION

جسر السياسية, Al Siassah Bridge [exact location], Deir Ezzor, Syria

On Thursday, October 6, 2016, one civilian was killed and several others were injured when warplanes bombed Al-Siassah bridge over the Euphrates river in Deir Ez-Zawr, in eastern Syria. Reports cited both Coalition and Russian forces, although CENTCOM reported the destruction of two supply routes in Deir Ezzor for October 5th-6th. Sham News Network reported

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1412

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and eight civilians including a woman died and dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Bustan Al-Basha, Aleppo, according to local media. The Syrian Organization for the Defense of Human Rights reported that “eight martyrs so far and dozens wounded in Bustan Al-Basha  due to warplanes shelling. The

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1413

LOCATION

المواصلات, al Mouwasalat, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported the death of one civilian woman in the al-Mouwasalat area of Aleppo as a consequence of aerial shelling – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime caused her death. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and Assad’s warplanes continued their air raids on the city of Aleppo and

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1414

LOCATION

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

According to local sources, the Khan al-Assal area in Aleppo was subject to warplane shelling, leading to the deaths of up to three civilians though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime caused the civilian harm. The twitter account @Aleppo reported that the strikes hit a funeral gathering. Meanwhile, the Syrian

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1411

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

According to local media, the Khan al-Sheikh camp was subject to intense aerial or artillery shelling, leading to the death of up to three civilians including a child. Two other people were reportedly wounded in the attack, which reports blamed on either Russia or the Assad regime. There were claims that a field hospital and

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1409

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians including a woman and a child died in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. A further 20 non-combatants were claimed wounded. Syria News Desk reported: “five civilians: a child, a disabled man, an old man, a woman and a young man children and disabled and elderly

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1410

LOCATION

الشفونية, al Shifonia, Damascus, Syria

One civilian died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground. SRV News reported that  “one person was killed and others injured following Russian air raids on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta”. According

Summary

First published
October 5, 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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1408

LOCATION

الشيخ خضر, al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians including two children and a woman died and several more people were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Shikh Khudur, according to local media. The location hit was Sheikh Fares, which is inside the Sheikh Khudar area. According to Thiqan News Agency, there were “two martyrs and a number of

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1407

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Up to nine civilians including six children and two women died in what was described as a “massacre” at  Shamico Farms in Kafr Naha near Aleppo. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the deaths. The twitter account AleppoAMC reported that the incident led to “eight martyrs including six children”. Violations Documentation Center Syria (VDC), Halab News Network

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(6 children2 women)
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
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1406

LOCATION

باتبو, Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians including one child and two women died and up to nine more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the city of Batbo in Aleppo, according to local media. Halab News Network reported that there had been “four martyrs including two women after Russian planes targeted Batbo, in the

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1405

LOCATION

الموحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to three civilians including a mother and her child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mohassein in Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. According to Deir Ezzor 24, “Russian warplanes targeted civilian homes with cluster bombs of Al Abad which led to the martyrdom of two people, and wounding a large number

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1404

LOCATION

Kafr Nassr, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Kafr Nasseh outside of Aleppo, according to local media. Halab News listed two additional unidentified victims – and joined all other sources in attributing this event to Russia. Photographic evidence shows that cluster bombs were used.

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1403

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين, Rif al Muhandisin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died and as many as 57 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandisin in the Western countryside of Aleppo, according to local media. Qasioun News reported “Russian warplanes committed a massacre in Rif Al Muhandisin in the western countryside of Aleppo, killing six civilians

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–57
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1402

LOCATION

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the city of al Zirba, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources said that the strikes only caused damage and no civilian harm. For example, the Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes shelled in Zirba in the southern western countryside of Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1399

LOCATION

الهلّك, Hallak, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians died in an incident in Hallak, Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether they were killed by Russian or regime strikes or by a sniper.  According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 4 civilians including a woman were killed by suspected Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, Kurdish Forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1400

LOCATION

كرم حومد, Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Karam Houmad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1398

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources air and artillery strikes hit the city Anadan north of Aleppo, killing one or two civilians. According to Nabd Syria, “two people were killed and others wounded in Anadan due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling”. One source, Muslm, attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia, while Jsirtv

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1397

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians including a child died and 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local media. According to All4Syria, “Russian warplanes carried out three raids, two with missiles and one with cluster bombs, targeting civilians’ houses. Two people were killed and more wounded. Shops and houses were

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1396

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in al Sakhour, Aleppo, according to local media. Most sources claimed that six or seven civilians were killed, among these hospital staff and civil defense workers. Syria News Desk provided details from the incident, reporting that “seven

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1394

LOCATION

شيخ سعيد, al Sheikh Said, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strikes in Sheik Said, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians. “So_ria98” attributed the strike to Russia, while the media Zaman al-Wasl pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

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

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1395

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes killed six civilians from one family in Aleppo’s Bustan al Basha neighbourhood. Only one child from the family was said to have survived the attack. Al-Jazeera published a video, showing how the surviving child, named Shihab, was rescued from the rubble while the rest of his

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1–4 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1392

LOCATION

الهلّك, al Hallak, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians including a child and a woman died in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo al Hallak neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Al Jazeera reported that three civilians died in a strike by regime warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who blamed Russia, put the number

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(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 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1393

LOCATION

بعيدين‬, Baeedin, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including a woman died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Baeedin, according to local media. A number of sources said that the three victims were elderly people. The media opposition activist Abu Mohammad al-Halab told Syria News Desk that “the Russian air force struck houses in

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–11
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 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1391

LOCATION

الحيدرية, Al Haidariya, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians including a child died and four more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al-Haidariya neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Most sources reported the death of one civilian, who according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was an unidentified child. The twitter account SheroAlo1 said

Summary

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

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1390

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported that air or artillery strikes hit the suburb of Damascus, Khan al-Sheikh which led to the death of at least two civilian men and injury of several more people. The strikes allegedly struck a Palestinian refugee camp. One source claimed that a school in the area was also struck. The news site

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1389

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Sheikh Faress neighbourhood, according to local media. Information was sparse but al-Hayat reported that “according to the Syrian Observatory, two children were killed in Sheikh Fares due to warplanes shelling” while Halab News Network reported that the

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1387

LOCATION

الزبدية, al Zarbadia, Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources, air and artillery strikes hit the neighbourhood of al-Zarbadia in Aleppo, killing up to three civilians and wounding as many as six more. According to the Smart News Agency, “regime artillery shelling by Assad forces stationed in Hamdaneya stadium targeted the Al-Zebdiya neighbourhood and killed three children and wounded six others

Summary

First published
October 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(0–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1388

LOCATION

جب القبة, Jeb al Qubba, Aleppo, Syria

SMO News reported that “Russian warplanes shelling targeted Al-Shawqi hospital in Jib Al-Quba and destroyed it. Some people were killed and others wounded.” Likewise Al-Jazeera reported how the hospital was left destroyed after the strikes. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident