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

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1205

LOCATION

الزعفرانة, Zafarana, Homs, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child and one woman died in airstrikes on Zafarana, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the attacks. The majority of sources, including Yaarabaladeli9, Step News Agency, Alghad Alsoury, and NabdSyria, blamed Russia. Baladi, also blaming

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–6
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1204

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Two possible civilians died in airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local media, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Halabtoday, Syr_Rev_News and Alamawi, the Violations Documentation Center and HNN blamed Russia. Smart added that eight non-combatants were also wounded. However, according to Alaraby the regime was to

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(0–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1203

LOCATION

الباب, Serbs, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Serbs, Al Bab, local sources reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “two children died when alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Sarbas village related to Al Bab area in Aleppo governorate, August 31.” Halab Today and @ALAMAWI also pointed to Russia. The Violations

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1202

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

One child, named as 15-year-old child died and up to nine others were wounded in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. However, it was unclear who was responsible: most sources didn’t apportion blame – though others pointed to Russia and the Assad regime. According to @SyrianArwad, “Russian and Syrian warplanes launched air raids

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1201

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including a child and a woman died and as many as 19 others were injured in strikes on Idlib, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One source reported the use of regime warships in the attacks, while several

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–19
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

August 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1200

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Masreen, Idlib, Syria

Between four and 10 civilians died and up to 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on a popular vegetable market in Maaret Masreen, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, most sources agreed that cluster bombs had been used in

Summary

First published
August 30, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1199

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians including between one and two children and a woman were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Salheen, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or explosive barrels dropped from Assad regime helicopters caused the casualties. The lowest death

Summary

First published
August 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1–2 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1198

LOCATION

أورم الصغرى, Orm al Sughra, Aleppo, Syria

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 3 victims died in alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Orm Al Sughra town in Aleppo governorate, August 29.” AMC, Alwatan, @SyriaFnn and @Syria_Pulse reported that three civilians died and several more were wounded in “four strikes with cluster bombs”, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
August 29, 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

August 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1197

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Nine civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes on fuel markets in Maarat al Naasan, according to local media. According to Zaitonmag, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on residential neighborhoods in the town of Maarat Al-Nassan. Four raids, phosphorous bombs and cluster munitions targeted fuel markets in the

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
December 6, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1196

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Tabqaqa, Raqqa, Syria

Up to three civilians died and 30 more were injured in alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tabqaqa, local media reported. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – who later blamed Russia – “three people died and more than 30 were injured raids by warplanes on a carpet factory in the city of Tabaqa”. The

Summary

First published
August 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
Civilians reported injured
30
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

August 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1195

LOCATION

صلخ, Salakh, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians including a child died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Taftanaz, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights’ attributed the event to “government warplanes and its allies”. Alsharq also blamed the regime. @SyrianArwad , @SyrianFnn, @ShahbaPress, @EdlibEMC

Summary

First published
August 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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

August 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1194

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and eight others were wounded in airstrike son Daret Izza, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes launched two air missiles on a residential area in the town of Darat Izza morning,

Summary

First published
August 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–8
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1193 CS302

LOCATION

الادخار, Raqqa: Al Idkhar, Raqqa, Syria

Between five and nine civilians including one child died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime of the US-led Coalition was responsible. Several reports said that strikes occurred near

Summary

First published
August 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(1 child2 men)
Civilians reported injured
20
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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1192

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

At least five civilians – from the same family, according to some reports – died and up to eight more were wounded in airstrikes on Orme Al-Kubra, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY,

Summary

First published
August 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
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

August 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1191

LOCATION

النيرب, Neirab, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Neirab in Idlib, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the casualties, though one pointed to the Syrian regime. LCCSY,@SyrianArwad and @Syriamubasher were among reports that attributed the event to Russia. The use of cluster bombs was also noted. However,

Summary

First published
August 26, 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
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1190

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and eight civilians including a child died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Haian, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, though one also mentioned the Assad regime was involved. The highest death count (eight non-combatants) was given by Baladi

Summary

First published
August 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(1 child)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

LOCATION

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Center, died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an airstrike on Efis in Idlib, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several attributed the event to the Assad regime. These reports put the death count at one, with an unspecified

Summary

First published
August 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–11
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

August 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1188

LOCATION

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

Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Mashhad neighbourhood, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Local media outlets said that a popular bakery had been struck. LCCSY initially reported that Russia carried

Summary

First published
August 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(5 men)
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1187

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 14 civilians including women and children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Sukkari, according to local media. Multiple sources reported that residential homes were struck and that fires broke out causing significant material damage. One source added that “the main market” was hit. The

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 14
(2–4 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1186

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Two children died and up to nine other civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Halab Today reported that “at least two children were wounded in cluster bomb raids”. However, Smo-sy, @HalabTodayTV and

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1185

LOCATION

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that between two and six civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo. The lowest death count was given by the Syrian Network for Human Rights – at two non-combatants. However, all other sources said that six civilians died. The majority of the reports blamed Russia,

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1184

LOCATION

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and at least five more were wounded in an airstrike on the road leading to the neighborhood of Ramousa, south of of the city of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, the majority of sources

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–24
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1183

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat al Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Between five and 19 civilians were killed, including two women and two to three children, and several others were injured from airstrikes that struck Maarat al-Naasan. Among those killed were seven members of the same family. Following the airstrikes, the civil defense teams were mobilized to rescue those trapped in the rubble and transport them

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 19
(2–3 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1182

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan al Asal, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians – reportedly from the same family, according to some sources – died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes which hit the Zahret-Almadaan area near Khan Al-Sal, local media said. While the majority of sources blamed Russia, the Shaam News Network attributed the event

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1–2 children2–3 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
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1181

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

One named child died and up many more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Rastan, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY reported one “child martyr and the critical wounding of other civilians in airstrikes on residential

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1180

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Eight civilians including women and children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Douma, local media reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The majority of sources, however, accused the regime. According to Syria News Desk, “about 20 vacuum missiles, cluster

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children2–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1179

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were injured in airstrikes on Arbin, according to sources on the ground. The majority of the sources blamed the Assad regime for the attack; none of the reports explicitly pointed to Russia, though a number didn’t identify the culprit. Smart reported that “regime warplanes

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1177

LOCATION

احسم, Ihsem, Jabal al Zawia, Idlib, Syria

One child died in an airstrike on Ihsem, Jabal Al-Zawia, local media reported. Two sources said that the regime carried out attacks on the town. While none of the reports blamed Russia, most of them referred to unidentified “warplanes”, meaning that Moscow’ involvement could not be ruled out. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1178

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians – reportedly children – died and up to nine other non-combatants were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, local media said. According to LCCSY, “two children died and others were wounded when Russian warplanes carried out a cluster bomb attack on Kafr Naha”. @syriapost1 and @ShahbaPress tweeted that “nine people were

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
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

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1176

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

One named civilian died and several more were wounded in shelling of Ghantou, according to local media. Most sources blamed the regime, specifying a mortar or rocket attack. @MasarPressNet blamed the regime for firing mortars on the town, while @RadioAlKul said that regime artillery strikes were conducted. Other sources blaming the regime included LCCSY and

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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