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

July 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2354

LOCATION

قرية عياش , Ayyash village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that between 10 and 15 civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Ayyash village. Multiple sources named the victims, 10 of whom were from the family of Khalaf Khader al-Faleh. The Violations Documentation Centre also listed five unidentified adult males as killed, reportedly from Aleppo. The majority of

Summary

First published
July 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
(7–10 children3–6 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS410

LOCATION

بغيلية, Al Baghiliya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

15 civilians including one woman and nine children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Baghiliya, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia for the strikes, reporting: “Activists have denied the news published by Assad’s media that IS had committed a massacre against civilians in Al Baghiliya district.  The regime said

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(9 children1 woman)
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
16 named, 3 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
January 18, 2022
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

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS838

LOCATION

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 15 civilians died in an incident in Huluk, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
Civilians reported injured
4–10
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

February 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS3052

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Up to 15 civilians, including three children and three women, were killed along with several wounded as the town of Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by air raids, local media reported, though culpability was contested. Like many other towns in eastern Ghouta, it was the third day in a row that Saqba was being struck. Masrawy

Summary

First published
February 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
(3 children3 women)
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, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3153

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

As many as 15 civilians were killed, including three children and a woman, and many more were wounded, in airstrikes on Douma. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Seven deceased civilians were named however four were reported by VDC as unidentified. As many as nine civilians were

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
(4 children1 woman6 men)
Civilians reported injured
19–9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Named victims
6 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

May 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS795

LOCATION

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 15 civilians including four children died and up to 20 were injured in an airstrike on a health facility at Al Shaheel town, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that amid intensive

Summary

First published
May 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 15
(4 children7 men)
Civilians reported injured
11–20
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
13 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1809

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

As many as 15 civilians were killed – including six children, two women and four adult males – and dozens were wounded, in alleged air and artillery strikes on Douma. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Reportedly, the raids struck

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 15
(6 children2 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS036

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

At least five and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed in heavy Russian airstrikes on the town of Darat Izza, according to reports. Al Jazeera said eight members of one family were among the dead. Five of those killed were later named by the local al Kanana Hospital. The Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 15
(5 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2241

LOCATION

سوحا, Soha , Homs, Syria

Between 13 and 15 civilians were killed – and as many as 30 were wounded – following an airstrike on a bakery in Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed Russia, except Syrian News Desk, which blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Sources reported that ten out of

Summary

First published
May 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 15
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

RS3266

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

In a major incident, between 12 and 15 civilians including multiple members from several families were reported killed in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Hamourya. There were also reports of the use of “toxic gases” in the attacks. @Baraa_Abdul tweeted: The regime is targeting the town of Hamourya with toxic gases

Summary

First published
March 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 15
(4 children3 women8 men)
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
15 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS817

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Between 13 and 15 civilians including two children died and 22 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Manbij, according to two local sources. The media activist Ahmed al-Mohammad told Edorar that 13 civilians died in a Russian strike on buildings in the city, “emphasizing that four missiles targeted a three-storey residential

Summary

First published
May 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 15
(2 children2 women1–5 men)
Civilians reported injured
22
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

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1328

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Between four and 14 civilians including two or three children died and dozens more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY, “four civilians including two children were martyred after

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 14
(2–3 children)
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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS615

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 14 civilians including two children and one women were killed and 30 others injured in airstrikes on a children’s and women’s hospital in Azaz, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Activists told Shaam News Network that

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 14
(2 children1 woman7 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3138

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media. Step News Agency reported that “in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 14
(2 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS754

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Fourteen civilians including three children died and at least 24 people were injured in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently posted images showing destruction of the city following airstrikes. It did not initially say

Summary

First published
April 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
(3 children1 woman11 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
14 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS488

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Several civilians were killed as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab and the surrounding area. The Syrian Network put the death toll at six – five children and a woman. Zaiton reported a much higher figure: “Local sources confirmed that 14 martyrs fell during the Russian raids with the wounding of at

Summary

First published
January 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 14
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
19–50
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

January 29, 2018

Incident Code

RS2941

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

In the first out of a series of three intensive raids in Idlib on the 29th, as many as 14 civilians were killed, and up to 25 were injured, in an attack on a potato market, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for these strikes. Euphrates Post reported that

Summary

First published
January 29, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 14
(1 woman2–13 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
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
15 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1693

LOCATION

منطقة الكسارة , Al Kassara area in the Sakhour neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and 14 civilians were killed and dozens of others were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes against the Al Kassara area in the Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the low estimate of three deaths while Halab News listed that

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 14
Civilians reported injured
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1559 RS2575

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 14 named civilians died in an air and artillery strike in Al Mayadin, local media reported – though it was unclear who was responsible for the event, with sources pointing towards the Coalition, Russia and the regime. Many reports referred only to attacks by “warplanes”. Although no specific sources put the death toll

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 14
(4 children2 women3 men)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
14 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 1, 2018

Incident Code

R3300

LOCATION

معرّبة , Ma’arba, Daraa, Syria

A single source reported 14 killed, including two women, in alleged Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the town of Maraba, east of Daraa. Step News Agency also reported the wounding of “others” in the strikes.

Summary

First published
July 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
(2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1211 RS2342

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, multiple locations, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 11 and 14 civilians – including several women and children – were killed and dozens others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Sources either blamed Russia, the Syrian regime or the US-led Coalition. More than five sources made no claims with regards to responsibility. However,

Summary

First published
July 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 14
(1–3 children1–2 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown
Named victims
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS500

LOCATION

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and 14 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein. In a news roundup the Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out dozens of strikes on the towns of Al Bab, Manbej, Jarablus and the town of Qabaseen causing the fall of dozens of dead and wounded in al Bab and

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 14
(0–1 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
20–50
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

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1374

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and 14 civilians died including up to seven children and four women with dozens more wounded in airstrikes with “bunker busting” missiles on the residential neighbourhood of Al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed this incident to Russia, though one report said that the Assad

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 14
(7 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
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

February 15, 2019

Incident Code

RS3587

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

In what has been described my local media as a massacre, between eight and 14 civilians were killed, including women and children, and “dozens” were injured, following artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib. Most of the local media alleged that the Syrian regime were to blame for the strikes, however some

Summary

First published
February 15, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 14
(5–6 children2–4 women)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
20 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1740

LOCATION

ادلب المدينة, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

On December 5, 2016, at least 16 civilians were killed and between 15 and 24 were wounded in an aerial bombardment which struck Idlib city. It is unclear who was to blame, with most sources attributing blame to Russia, and some sources blaming the Syrian regime. Smart News reported that according to two activists, the

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(9–12 children1–3 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
14 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2017

Incident Code

RS2227

LOCATION

سمومة, Samouma, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between 11 and 14 civilians were killed – from two families – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Samouma, Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. Some sources attributed blame to the Syrian regime, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however most blamed

Summary

First published
May 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 14
(6–10 children1 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
Named victims
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2015

Incident Code

RS169

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Fourteen or more non-combatants were killed and dozens injured in the shelling of Eastern Ghouta. Since the attack reportedly involved both airstrikes including cluster munitions (by either Russian or Assad regime aircraft), as well as ground artillery fire from pro-government forces, attribution for the deaths remains unclear. According to SNN, the “‘Sharia public body’ in

Summary

First published
November 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
(3 children2 women7–9 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
13 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS471

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Ten to fourteen civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who said warplanes shelled several residential houses in Al Kourneesh street. The Shaam News Network also reported Russian raids targeting non-combatants’ homes in Al Bab, but did not provide casualty figures. VDC named soe victims incuding 2 unidentified

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 14
(4–5 children3–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
35
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3033

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

At least four and as many as 14 civilians including ar least one woman and one child were killed and several others wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strikes in Saqba were part of a widespread intensified shelling of multiple residential neighbourhoods in eastern Ghouta

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 14
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
13 named
View Incident