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

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

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1175

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between three and 11 civilians including women and children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in airstrikes on Qaterji, al-Zebdiyyeh, al-Jaloum and Seif al-Dawla, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “11 civilians

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 11
(1–5 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–30
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1174

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians including two women died and up to 25 more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though a number didn’t specify which “warplanes” were responsible. One source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that barrel bombs were dropped on the town –

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–25
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1173

LOCATION

Adwan, Idlib, Syria

Two or more civilians including two women died and up to 50 more were wounded when cluster bombs were dropped on Adwan, local media reported. The majority of the sources – LCCSY, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and ENN – blamed the regime. Idlib City News put the death toll at one, but most

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1172

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between 10 and 16 civilians including women and children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Orme Al-Kubra, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. The majority of reports, however, pointed to Russia. The lowest death count was given as

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 16
(2–3 children1–4 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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1171

LOCATION

قبطان الجبل, Qubtan al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one child and one woman died and several more civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qubtan Al-Jabal, according to sources on the ground. Reports cited the use of cluster bombs in the attack. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1170

LOCATION

كفر جوم, Kafr Gom, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including a woman and her children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Gom, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Many sources noted the use of cluster bombs

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(3–4 children1–2 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1169

LOCATION

الغنطو, Ghantou, Homs, Syria

Ten named civilians including two children and two women died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Ghantou in Homs, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Assad regime, though some others attributed the event to Russia. Smo-syria, @syriapost1, @ALAMAWI and Halab Today said that Russia was responsible. Halab Today put the

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 22
(2 children2–4 women7 men)
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
Named victims
13 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1168

LOCATION

الحويقة, Howeqa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male died and up to dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Howeqa. The Smart News Network reported that “One civilian was killed and others were injured” in a Russian strike. According to @SYRIAEVENT1 “dozens” were wounded in addition to one death.

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1167

LOCATION

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and nine non-combatants died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on a bus or cars carrying civilians on the road between Khan Tuman town and the Al Ramoseh neighbourhood of Aleppo city, local media reported. All but one source attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(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

August 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1166

LOCATION

Hosseineh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Hosseinieh village, according to one source – though it was unclear whether the strike had been carried out by Russia or the regime. According to @DeryNews, “Russian warplanes targeted ‎Hosseinieh cluster bombs, sparking several fires civilian homes and agricultural land”. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

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