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

November 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS114

LOCATION

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

Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr. Several houses were also reportedly destroyed. VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike. Additionally, the Violations Documentation

Summary

First published
November 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3–4 children1 woman6 men)
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
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS115

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes reportedly killed at least three non-combatants and injured at least ten in the neighbourhood of Al Mashhad, according to the White Helmets. The group said they recovered three bodies from the rubble and rescued ten people, transferring them to nearby field hospitals. Local media activist Mansour Hussain told Al Araby al Jadeed

Summary

First published
November 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
Civilians reported injured
10
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

November 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS113

LOCATION

سكيك, Sakik, Idlib, Syria

An initial report by the Violations Documentation Center named one adult male as a civilian medical worker who killed in an alleged Russian airstrike but did not specify the location. However, a later listing by the VDC identified him both as a paramedic and as a non-civilian, killed “during clashes with the regime’s army forces“.

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS111

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

One woman, Mrs Zahra Hajj Khamees, was reported killed and more than 20 people injured after an alleged Russian airstrike on the traders’ market in the town of Maarat al Numan. Video footage showed extreme damage to shops and houses in the vicinity. Most sources blamed Russia. However, the Damascus Centre and the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS112

LOCATION

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

At least 24 civilians were reported killed and a dozen injured in alleged evening Russian airstrikes on a centre for the distribution of bread in the town of Qaryatain in Homs province. According to Shaam News Network, 16 people died when Russian planes carried out two raids. Activists stressed that the raids targeted a bakery

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
23 – 30
(3 children2 women1 man)
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
Unknown
Named victims
30 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS108

LOCATION

منطقة أسيا, Assiya, Aleppo, Syria

An unnamed civilian male was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Assiya. Almodon made no mention of civilian casualties, though did report strikes by “Russian jet fighters” on Assiya. No additional information is presently available.  

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS109

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

A child was killed and ‘dozens of civilians’ were injured “as a result of five Russian air strikes [each strike firing more than one missile] targeting residential neighborhoods in the city of Douma” according to the White Helmets. Intense artillery shelling was also reported on Douma. VDC named the child as Judi Bashar al Zhairi, and

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS110

LOCATION

أم صحريج, Um Sirij, Hama, Syria

Two to five children and their mother were reported killed and four more people injured along with up to three civilian adults, after an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Umm Sirij. Shaam News cited local civil defence as saying that a home had been razed in the attack, with other houses damaged. And

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–6
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

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS107

LOCATION

معرتماتر, Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria

A child named as Ahmad Ali al-Yousef was reported killed following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Ma’artamater. The Violations Documentation Center and Syrian Observatory blamed Russia. The pro-regime Shaam Times – citing “military sources” – confirmed that unspecified aircraft had supported ground operations at Ma’artamater. And the Damascus Centre for Human Rights

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS105

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

The White Helmets and others reported a very intense raid in the early hours of November 1st, allegedly by Russian warplanes, on Hraytan. The Al Haramees area was targetted with four strikes reportedly using vacuum missiles, which led to the death of 45-year old Mohammad Ismail Rustum and the wounding of two others, as well

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS106

LOCATION

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

One child was reported killed and two or more non-combatants injured following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jbala. While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.  

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS103

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets were among those reporting multiple civilian fatalities after a series of alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma. “Since the morning until now, more than 15 strikes,” the civil defence group posted. Syria Reporter published what it said was an image of two Russian aircraft operating over the city that day. The dead were

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(1–3 children3 women)
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS104

LOCATION

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four named civilians were killed in a reported Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Hamidiya. The Violations Documentation Center named the victims, all adult males.    

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS102

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Between seven and eight civilians including three children were killed in what were reported by most as four Russian airstrikes on the town of Maarat al Numan. However a local activist group and the Homs Meda Network attributed the attack to the Assad regime. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(3 children4 men)
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS100

LOCATION

حي كرم النزهة, Karem al Nuzha, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were reported killed in the village of Karem el Nuzha on the outskirts of Aleppo, in an alleged Russian airstrike. Smart News said six died in the attack. An eyewitness later told the local news agency: “We came over, and in this corner there was a corpse, body parts of a

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child1 woman2 men)
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS101

LOCATION

حي ‫‏صلاح الدين, Salahudin (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

As many as five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian strike at Salaheddin. According to the White Helmets “The civil defence rushed to the scene and pulled out five bodies including children. Several wounded were rescued.“ Smart News later published footage showing significant damage to residential apartments. One eyewitness named as Amer told

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1–2 children)
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS098

LOCATION

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

During a wave of Russian or Assad regime strikes near Aleppo, up to 25 civilians were reported killed – 17 of them said to be children – at Al Kalassa. Some reports placed the strike at Wadi al Arayes, though casualty reports make clear these are the same event. According to Shaam News, “Another 15

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 26
(18 children3 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
Named victims
22 named, 5 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS099

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 15 civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on the Aleppo district of Fardous. According to Shaam News, “A further 15 civilians were killed in Al Ferdous neighborhood after a Russian plane targeted it with several vacuum missiles – in addition to about five martyrs in Salah al-Din neighborhood.”    

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 15
(6 children4 men)
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
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS095

LOCATION

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were reported killed either at Al Dana, or on a road approaching the town. No other details are presently available.  

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS096

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least 10 and as many as 13 civilians were reported killed and 40 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab. According to Shaam News, “More than 10 civilians were killed in the city of Al Bab controlled by IS in addition to many injured. The aircraft targeted Al Rihawi mosque, Martta Square, Beith

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 13
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
40
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS097

LOCATION

تادف, Tadeef, Aleppo, Syria

Up to ten civilians – at least two of them young children – were alleged killed following a reported Russian strike on Tadeef. Some victims were later named However neither the Syrian Observatory, Eldorar or Radio Alkul reported civilian deaths, instead describing between 12 and 15 injuries. Both Al Araby and Syria News also reported

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–15
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS092

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar Rastan, Homs, Syria

A woman and child (and possibly a third civilian) were killed in an alleged Russian morning airstrike at Ar Rastan. According to the Union of Hama rebels, those killed were “an orphan and his grandmother“. They were later named by VDC.  

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS093

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One civilian male was killed and several non-combatants injured “including women and children” following an alleged Russian strike on Talbiseh. The man – named by Violations Documentation Center as Iyad Hsain Jomaa Al Latouf – was also shown in a graphic video depicting his body.  

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS094

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians – among them three children and an adult male – were reported killed in an alleged air and ground assault on Jisr al Shughour, according to a number of sources. The Syrian Network later named the dead. Shaam News reported that “Russian warplanes carried out two raids with rockets on the

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS091

LOCATION

ابديتا, Ibdita, Idlib, Syria

One civilian man named as Ahmed Murr was reported killed and 10 people injured in an alleged Russian morning airstrike on the village of Ibdita. His two sons were also critically wounded in the attack. In a later news feature, Shaam News reported: “Samer was taken to the hospital in Ma’arat, where his body was

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 29, 2015

Incident Code

RS090

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

At least 70 people died and as many as 550 were injured in what was initially reported as a Russian airstrike on the marketplace in Douma. However subsequent reports indicated the specific attack was most likely the work of Assad regime aircraft. Part of the confusion lay in the fact that Russian Air Force aircraft

Summary

First published
October 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
70
Civilians reported injured
550
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS087

LOCATION

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria

As many as 11 civilians were reported killed in the second alleged Russian airstrike in as many days on Tal Hadya. A large number of civilians were also reportedly injured in the nighttime attack. According to the Syrian Observatory, “nine people [six women, one child and two men] were killed in bombing by warplanes believed

Summary

First published
October 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(1–7 children0–6 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS088

LOCATION

بانص, Banis, Aleppo, Syria

At least one and as many as seven civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian strike on Bansh. Violations Documentation Center reported that an unnamed woman was killed “Due to the Russian army air forces’ shelling.”  

Summary

First published
October 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS089

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra. There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his

Summary

First published
October 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1 child8 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS084

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

A civilian neighbourhood was targeted in Ltamenah – allegedly by Russia – which killed approximately 10 civilians. According to Shaam “10 civilians (three of them from one family) were killed, and five wounded, as a result of Russian aircraft targeting civilian homes with vacuum missiles.” Violations Documentation Center later named Khaled Abdulhameed al-Jahem as having

Summary

First published
October 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20
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