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

April 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS778

LOCATION

جب القبة, Jib al Qiba (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In a summary of Russian raids carried out on April 28th in Jibb al Qibba, LCCSY said a Russian raid had left people dead and wounded but did not give numbers In a tweet by Maheralhaj425 it was also reported that 6 people died in Jibb al Qibba, although it was not clear who carried out

Summary

First published
April 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
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
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

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS844

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and five civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(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

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS876

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one woman died and six others were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or the Syrian regime. According to an initial report by LCCSY, three civilians including a woman were killed and several others injured in Russian

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman)
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

June 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS908

LOCATION

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian news desk reported that three civilians were killed in an overnight offensive on Castello Road. The people killed were travelling down this road in a car, according to this source and others. The Syrian news desk reported that  victims had been unable to evacuate the area during the daytime ‘due to regime troops

Summary

First published
June 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS942

LOCATION

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that an airstrike on the town of al-Zirba killed one civilian, and wounded several others, though it is currently unclear whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Both Halab News Network (HNN), Thiqa News Agency and Halab news identified the victim by name, and many media, such as

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

July 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS974

LOCATION

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria

Twenty six named civilians including a child and eight women died and up to 70 more were wounded in an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Darkoush, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The strike reportedly took place

Summary

First published
July 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26 – 30
(1 child8 women15 men)
Civilians reported injured
35–70
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
26 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1006

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to sources, an entire family of seven was killed overnight in their home in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Bulial. However some reports allege the death toll to be as high as ten. Several reports said that “the warplanes targeted the Ayed Al-Jaloud house in Ruwayda neighbourhood east of the city.”

Summary

First published
July 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
(2–3 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–20
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
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1038

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and others were injured in a casualty incident in Al Maysar, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to SMO, Smart and LCCSY Russia was responsible. Smart alleged cluster bombs used in the attack.  However, Syriamubashar, A_Alhorane

Summary

First published
July 23, 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

July 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1070

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and seven civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Kafr Naha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources “Qasioun, Sadaaltwhed, Halab News, Alamawi, Jisr tv, Syrian Press Center) pointed towards Russia, with death counts varying between

Summary

First published
July 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 children)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1046 RS2295

LOCATION

خشام, Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 16 civilians, including several women and children, were killed and dozens more injured in airstrikes on Khasham village in Deir Ezzor governorate. However, it was not clear who was responsible with allegations lodged against the Coalition, the Russian air force and the Syrian government. In total, five sources alleged that the Coalition was

Summary

First published
June 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
(4 children2 women1 man)
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
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1330

LOCATION

منطقة المنجم, Al Munjem area, Al Tabani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that a minimum of four people were killed in an air raid in al Tabani. One report from Smart totalled the number of victims at seven. The majority of sources asserted that the strikes were carried out by Russian forces, or as reported by Step news agency, ‘#russian-owned’ aircraft. According to

Summary

First published
August 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
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
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1619 RS2624

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Thirteen civilians reportedly died, including seven children and five women, following an attack on Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, while others blamed Russia. At present, the culpable party remains unclear. The majority of sources alleged or suspected that

Summary

First published
October 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 14
(6 children6 women1 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
13 named, 1 familiy identified
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 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1119

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

At least one male civilian was killed and between 3 and 10 were wounded by airstrikes on the town of Saraqib, according to local media. There are however multiple reports of the death of a female child too – she was not named. Multiple sources, including The Shaam News Network (SNN), identified both regime and

Summary

First published
August 10, 2016
Last updated
October 25, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1151

LOCATION

الراموسة, Al Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 20 civilians including three children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on a convoy or vehicles or a bus carrying civilians on the al Ramousah road south of the city of Aleppo. It was unclear who was responsible for the event: many sources blamed Russia,

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 20
(2–3 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
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

September 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1216

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan al Subbul, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians died and as many as 20 were wounded in airstrike on Khan Al-Subbul in Idlib governorate, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. In one report, LCCSY blamed the regime but then appeared to

Summary

First published
September 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1248

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, according to a single source. Halab Today reported a Russian strike killed one civilian. However, both Syriansnews and Buraq media said that there had been no civilian casualties, and did not identify the culprit of the strike.

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1281

LOCATION

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that 15 civilians including three children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Hor, outside Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes of regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs were to blame. Several sources reported twelve fatalities: for instance, Shahed-ayan news stated

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(3 children3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
15 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1313

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local and international media reported six civilians, including three or four children and one man named Mohammad Alloush, were killed in an air raid on the neighbourhood of Bab al Nayrab, which according to CNN and Sky News Arabia struck a water pumping station which supplied 250 thousand people in eastern Aleppo. Geroun News said

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(3 children1 woman1 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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1345

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians including a child were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in the Al Salheen neighbourhood of Aleppo. According to Al Jazeera, “ten people died in airstrikes with cluster bombs on the Salheen neighborhood in the city of Aleppo.” Baladi News said that barrel bombs were used which could

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1377 CS321

LOCATION

بقرص, Bokros, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 10 civilians including a family of four died following air raids on Bokros, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian regime, Russia and the Coalition were all blamed. According to Shaam News, “In the town of Bokros Coalition aircraft attacked houses belonging to civilians, which led to the death of four people,

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(3 children1 man)
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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1411

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

According to local media, the Khan al-Sheikh camp was subject to intense aerial or artillery shelling, leading to the death of up to three civilians including a child. Two other people were reportedly wounded in the attack, which reports blamed on either Russia or the Assad regime. There were claims that a field hospital and

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1443

LOCATION

الزبدية, al Zabadia, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians died and up to 10 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Zabadiyeh neighbourhood, according to local media. Shahba and Micro Syria blamed Russia, putting the death toll at three. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
6–10
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

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1475

LOCATION

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria

In what multiple sources described as a “massacre”, between 40 and 55 civilians – many of them reportedly children and women – died and up to 70 more were wounded in airstrikes on the village of Oweijal. The strikes resulted in widespread destruction to civilian homes – and, according to several reports – the destruction

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 55
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–70
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
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1507

LOCATION

بارة, Bara, Idlib, Syria

Three or four civilians included women and children died in an airstrikes on Bara, according to local media. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime; there were no direct allegations against Russia, but a number of sources didn’t identify the warplane responsible. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “three victims including two women died

Summary

First published
October 26, 2016
Last updated
December 19, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1808

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

One adult male was killed, and two or more were injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Jisr Al Shoghour. All sources attributed blame to Russian aviation, which it is reported to have carried out four raids on the vicinity. According to one source the attack consisted of three cluster bombs raids,

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
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
3 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1322a RS2380

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike in Zor Shamer, Raqqa, according to local media sources – though it was not clear who was responsible. Most sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces, though one reported that Coalition aircraft conducted the strike. DeirEzzor24, reported that “Coalition aircraft targeted the area south of Hsaywa, Zor Shamer”. Syrian

Summary

First published
August 2, 2017
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 14, 2020

Incident Code

RS4512

LOCATION

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians, a man and a woman, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or artillery shelling in the town of Kansafra in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 14th 2020, according to local sources. All sources reporting on civilian harm from the incident in Kansafra consistently mention that two civilians, a

Summary

First published
July 14, 2020
Last updated
March 1, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident