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

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS816

LOCATION

‏الكبر‬, Al Kiber, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian male named as Sahir Attallah al Ayyad died from injuries sustained in a reported Russian airstrike on al Kiber “two months earlier.” No additional details are presently known, including the precise date of death.    

Summary

First published
May 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS815

LOCATION

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and ten civilians including one child and two women died – and 20 more people were injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Tal al Daman according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes used cluster bombs to strike the market. It put

Summary

First published
May 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS813

LOCATION

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A member of the the White Helmets was reported killed and two ambulances destroyed in airstrikes or barrel bomb strikes on Hulluk and Bai’deen.  

Summary

First published
May 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS814

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

One unnamed civilian was reported killed and two or more injured in alleged regime (or possibly Russian) airstrikes on Maskaneh. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
May 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS812

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported Russian and Syrian regime raids on various parts of Aleppo, killing up to 17 civilians – including two or more children – and wounding others. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and helicopters had carried out raids with “vacuum missiles, cluster bombs and barrel bombs”

Summary

First published
May 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(3–5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
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

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS810

LOCATION

كلجبرين‬, Kaljibrin, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Halab Today TV, reported that one child was killed and two other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kaljabrin. At 0’21” in the footage an eyewitness, Ayman Al Hindawi says: “On Thursday May 26th, we woke up to noises of clashes in the village which were taking place between

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS811

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched two air rocket cluster bombs on agricultural land in Ltamenah in the northern countryside of Hama.” They said that some farmers had been injured, but provided no further details. Qasioun also blamed Russia. Syrian PC News and All4Syria News (which blamed ‘regime artillery shelling’) reported that there were two civilians

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS809

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 13 civilians including four children were reported killed  – and 20-24 others were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al-Thar’ra bakery in Hraytan, according to local sources. Among the victims were personnel and customers of the bakery, including four children. The strike also hit several cars that were parked nearby,

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
July 5, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS808

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians including three children died in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra according to local sources –  though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Syrian Newsdesk more than fifteen Russian and regime warplane raids in the Kafr Hamra area resulted in the death of a family

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(3 children1 woman)
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS807

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Orm al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians, including an elderly man, two children and three women, died in an alleged Russian strike on the town on Orm al Kubra, according to multiple local sources. The White Helmets reported five raids in which “warplanes” (they didn’t identify them) threw “parachutes carrying cluster bombs”, which killed “an old man”

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(2 children3 women)
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

May 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS806

LOCATION

Afrin-Darat Azza road, Aleppo, Syria

According to reports by the Shaam News Network and multiple other sources, Russian airstrikes targeted the road between Afrin and Darat Azza destroying fuel transport trucks, and killing two drivers and injuring several other civilians in the vicinity. The reports noted that this road was considered to be a “humanitarian corridor” and “one of the

Summary

First published
May 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
View Incident

Incident date

May 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS805

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

It was reported that nine female farmers died when remains of cluster bombs allegedly fired by Russia exploded. Al Jisr TV also reported this information, but said this occurred in Kafr Hamra – which is possibly a mistake. Because of near-identical copy by all media, this is presently classed as a weakly reported incident.  

Summary

First published
May 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(9 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS804

LOCATION

صلاح القرية‬, Salah al Qariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five to six civilians including two children and two to three women died in airstrikes on Salah al Qariya area, in Albu Umar according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY reported the death of four civilians in what they

Summary

First published
May 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child2 women)
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS803

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and between five and ten were injured in strikes on Hraytan, 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 said that one civilian was killed and five were wounded in Russian strikes, “noting that

Summary

First published
May 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS802 CS214

LOCATION

الحمرات, Al Hamrat (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians (from the same family) including three children and one woman died in airstrikes on Al Hamrat according to local sources – though reports were confused with conflicting allegations that Russian, the regime or the Coalition had carried out the attacks. Qasioun said a Russian fighter targeted residential neighborhoods in the village, resulting in

Summary

First published
May 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS801

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Fifteen people or more, including up to ten children and seven women, were killed in airstrikes on Ar-Rastan during a second day of bombings on the town. Some sources blamed the Assad regime, with others only aying ‘warp[lanes’ were responsible. Multiple sources said that 13 people from the Turkmani family had died in the raids.

Summary

First published
May 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 17
(8–10 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
27
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS800

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

At least three civilians including one child died in airstrikes on Ar-Rastan according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. According to LCCSY, “several” Russian raids killed five civilians and wounded more. Syria7ra also blamed Russia on Twitter. However, many other sources said the Syrian

Summary

First published
May 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS799

LOCATION

السحل, Al Sahal, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa News 24/24 reported that a “Russian warplane” targeted the home of one of the residents of the village at 02.30am, leading to the man’s immediate death. It also said that the planes targeted the water pump east of Al Mansoura, causing material damage. Muslim Forum also reported the death of the man and said

Summary

First published
May 15, 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

May 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS798

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

According to multiple local sources, Russian warplanes targeted farmlands in the northern and western suburbs of the town of Ar Rastan with vacuum missiles, leading to the death of one or two civilians and the wounding of several others. Sources spoke of dozens of Russian raids. Ar-Rastan media office said the civilian killed was Siham Ibrahim

Summary

First published
May 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS797

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that two civilians were killed and up to seven people were wounded following alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the village of Babis in the countryside of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia, some said the Syrian regime was responsible, and again others did not identify who carried out the raids.

Summary

First published
May 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
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

May 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS796

LOCATION

Ibn Khaldoun (Ar Raqqahh), Raqqa, Syria

Four or five civilians including three children and one women died in airstrikes on the Ibn Khaldoun neighborhood of Ar Raqqa, according to local sources which also said that a school was targeted – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network

Summary

First published
May 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 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
3 named
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

May 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS793

LOCATION

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

According to multiple local sources, three children died when the remains of a cluster bomb – allegedly earlier dropped by Russia – exploded in the town of Taqad. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which also said three children died, blamed the regime for originally dropping the cluster bomb. Alarab News reported that “a

Summary

First published
May 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS794

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Between 10 and 14 civilians including two to three children and one woman died in an airstrike on Binnish which struck a mosque, a market and houses, according to multiple local sources. The majority of reports point to this being the work of the Assad regime, though  others, like LCCSY, alleged that Russia was responsible. Some sources

Summary

First published
May 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 14
(2–3 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–25
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS792

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that five civilians were killed in alleged Russian raids on a park in Al Bab. According Al Jisr TV, Russian warplanes killed five civilians in Al Bab. Qasioun and Nasaem News also blamed Russia. Other sources did not identify who was responsible. Baladi News also reported the incident and said that “warplanes and

Summary

First published
May 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS791

LOCATION

ياقد العدس, Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians from the same family including one woman and one child died in “suspected” Russian shelling on Yaqid al Adas. Multiple other sources also reported that a man and his wife were killed. Some said that the child was seriously injured, others put the death toll at three:

Summary

First published
May 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS790

LOCATION

حي البلليرمون, Al Baleirmoon neighbourhood (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that up to six people, including two women and two children, had died in shelling on Al Baleirmoon neighbourhood. Reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Egypt News said that “a man, a woman and her daughter were killed due to warplane shelling in Al Baleirmoon.” Multiple

Summary

First published
May 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

May 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS789

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and between eight and ten were injured in airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Activists told Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes targeted the city centre with vacuum missiles, killing two civilians and

Summary

First published
May 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–15
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS788 CS207

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between six and 21 civilians died and up to 50 were injured in multiple night time airstrikes on the city of Raqqa, according to local sources. While most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, others did not identify the aircraft, while one blamed the Assad regime and another said that the Coalition might have carried

Summary

First published
May 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 21
(1 child1 woman2 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS787

LOCATION

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported up to 20 civilian casualties and 24 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting al-Jneina, Deir ez-Zour. According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Muhiy al Razouk and his three children” died in a Russian airstrike on Al Jneina. LCSSY also named the victim and said two of his relatives were killed and

Summary

First published
April 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(3 children)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident