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 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1116

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Reports estimated that between 11 and 23 civilians were killed and between 30 and 70 more were injured airstrikes on Idlib City – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Responsibility for the strikes was attributed to both regime and Russian warplanes by the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
August 10, 2016
Last updated
October 25, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 23
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–70
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
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident

Incident date

August 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1114

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 11 civilians including women and children were killed, and up to 30 more injured by airstrikes on the town of Orme al Kubra, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame for the casualties. The Syrian Network for Human Rights gave conflicting

Summary

First published
August 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 11
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
5–30
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

August 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1113

LOCATION

Mheimidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 15 and 30 civilians were killed, including three children and four women, and between 20 to 40 wounded – some critically – by an aerial bombardment of the town of Mahimideh, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to the Assad regime. However, four airstrikes were conducted by planes that were

Summary

First published
August 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 30
(3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
20–40
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, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1112

LOCATION

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed by warplane rockets, according to Halab Today and VDS-SY. A further two civilians were also injured in the attack, according to the Smart News Agency. Sources attributed the attack to Russian warplanes, and reported that fires broke out in civilian homes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
August 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1111

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Multiple sources reported that between four and five civilians including two women died and up to 12 others were injured in four raids on Idlib City – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The majority of sources attribute the raids to Russia. However, The

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
October 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–12
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
4 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1110

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed and between three and four more were injured from an alleged barrel and missile bombing of a market in the neighborhood of Sukkari. Reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or Syrian regime were responsible. While the majority of sources reported deaths and injuries as a result of

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1109

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

At least seven civilians including two women and two children were killed and up to 40 more wounded in alleged long-range ballistic missiles (Scud) strikes launched from battleships in the Mediterranean. But sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or Syrian regime.The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–40
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 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1108

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Russian warplanes bombed the city of Al Bab in eastern Aleppo and while casualties were reported, according to local media. However, reports didn’t provide specific casualty figures. There were no estimates of the number. Both @SRG_Syria and LCCSY blamed Russia – though the majority of sources referred only to “warplanes”.  

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1107

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and three to five were wounded, including women and children, from vacuum missile, cluster bomb or artillery strikes on a Palestinian refugee camp in Khan al Sheikh, according to local media. Five or more raids were carried out by warplanes, with most sources attributing the attacks to Russia. However,

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS1106

LOCATION

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

At least one civilian was killed and at least one more was injured, including a child, from bombing of the Al Mashhad neighborhood in Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to multiple sources, warplanes dropped internationally-prohibited phosphorus bombs. Both LCCSY

Summary

First published
August 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1105

LOCATION

ملس, Malas, Idlib, Syria

Thirteen civilians, including three to five children and two women, were killed and up to 30 more were wounded is missile strikes on Malas town, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Reports said that two of the four to six strikes

Summary

First published
August 6, 2016
Last updated
October 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(3–5 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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
13 named
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1104

LOCATION

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

Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on the al Zabadiya and Bustan al Qasr neighbourhoods in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. LCCSY was among several sources blaming Russia. It put the death toll at four civilians.

Summary

First published
August 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1103

LOCATION

Ein Tarma, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Ein Tarma, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. SCDrifdimashq also listed this man and said that a second ‘unknown martyr’ died. According to Smart, “a child was injured by regime artillery”.

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1102

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

One male civilian died and six others were wounded in multiple strikes on Saraqeb, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the attacks. According to Syria News Desk, “Russian aviation targeted Saraqeb and its outskirts with 28 raids, killing one civilian and wounding six

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
November 3, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1101

LOCATION

مديرة, Madira, Damascus, Syria

An entire family was killed in an alleged “rocket attack” in the town of Madira in an aerial bombardment according to local media. Sources reported that cluster bombs and rockets were used in the airstrike. All sources reported that Russian aircraft was to blame for this incident. These included Al Jazeera, Jisrtv, Halab Today and

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
36
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

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1100

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between two and seven civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Tareeq Al Bab, according to sources on the ground. Radio Alkul gave the lowest death count of two with three more wounded – from the same family, blaming Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that four died, including

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1099

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an aerial bombardment of a school and neighbourhood in Al Atareb, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported that Russian warplanes and government helicopters were sighted in the vicinity – and that

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1098

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In what has been described by reporters as a “massacre”, no less than 11 civilians, including seven children and one woman, died following an aerial bombardment on the residential neighbourhood al Marja. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights however, noted that the numbers were most likely to rise due to the nature of the injures.

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(7 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
13–24
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
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1097

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

One adult male died in an airstrike on Heesh, Idlib, according to local media. According to Amagharib Today, he died on August 5th from injures he sustained in the attack. Only one source, the Violations Documentation Center, blamed Russia for his death. Other sources didn’t apportion blame and there are no other details present at

Summary

First published
August 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1095

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians died, including a woman and two children, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha. According to Ara News, the warplanes launched strikes on the neighbourhood, “in an attempt to prevent the arrival of a new military Maazrat Army conquest of the region”. LCCSY reported that rockets were fired over the

Summary

First published
August 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1096

LOCATION

معرة الأتارب, Maarat al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and six civilians including two children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrike on the two camps for displaced person near the town of Maarat al Atareb. Halab News Network reported there were no less than eight raids, with the use of cluster

Summary

First published
August 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1093

LOCATION

شغور, Shaghuor, Idlib, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, as killed by a Russian cluster bomb. While the source reports that the victim was from Shahour village, it’s unclear whether he was killed there. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1094

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

Six named civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Al Mansoura in the western suburbs of Aleppo, local sources said. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, on “Wednesday evening 3 August 2016, alleged Russian warplanes carried out two airstrikes on the residential homes located in the northwestern areas of Al Mansoura

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 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, Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1092

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian shelling killed two civilians in Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to Baladi News, a rocket was reportedly seen in the vicinity. Further to this, Smart News said that it was specifically a missile strike which killed two civilians and wounded six others. A number of sources didn’t identify

Summary

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

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1091

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that six civilians including two children died and up to 30 more non-combatants were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atareb, which reportedly struck an aid convoy and several nearby camps for displaced people. On August 3rd 2016, Syrian News Desk reported that “Six civilians killed most of them are truck

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
5–30
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
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1090

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians died in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo city, according to local media. According to multiple sources, a convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Aleppo was struck. LCCSY reported that “the rebels have made new progress today [Aug 3rd], gaining control of positions in the Aleppo countryside, while

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1089

LOCATION

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

One person died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, according to local media. Photographic evidence from the Syrian Civil Defence showed the examination of what appears to be a Russian ballistic missile, containing cluster bombs.The director of the Civil Defence in Bdama reported that “the Russian barges struck Alchgrh village with a ballistic missile,

Summary

First published
August 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1088

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

On August 2nd, the raids continued in Idlib, with alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes shelling a residential neighbourhood in Sermin, killing a further four civilians, sources on the ground reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, both warplanes and helicopters carried out the strikes. The Shaam News Network (SNN) reported that this

Summary

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

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1087

LOCATION

تل سلطان, Tall Sultan, Idlib, Syria

Following on from the deadly chloride attack on Saraqeb on August 2nd, Tal al Sultan village was also reportedly hit on the same day by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. According to Syria Direct, these raids were part of the same wave of attacks which blanketed Idlib as part of a revenge attack. Al

Summary

First published
August 2, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1086

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Russian and Assad regime helicopters allegedly dropped what were reportedly exploding chloride barrels on a residential neighbourhood in Saraqeb in Idlib at 23.20 on Tuesday August 2nd. The Shaam News Network reported that this attack was a “revenge for the killing of a number of Russian officers after their helicopter crashed in the vicinity of

Summary

First published
August 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–33
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