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

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS637

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, three civilians including two children died in “airstrikes thought to be Russian” in Palmyra, Homs. Sinnnews reported that “four were wounded and a child had his leg amputated while a man was seriously injured in Russian attacks on Palmyra.” The Violations Documentation Center named one victim (a

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–2 children)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS635

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including three children died in an airstrike on the Al Sakhour neighborhood in Aleppo according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Al Jazeera reported that four civilians from the same family were killed in a Russian raid. Baladi also

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 children1 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS636

LOCATION

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal al Dhaman, according to local sources. However Mr Ramadan’s death was also reported for Fbruary 16th, likely making this a double reporting. DCHRS reported the death of Hameed Radaman from a Russian strike. It also said that his son was killed, but

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS634

LOCATION

الشيخ علي, Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Ali, according to local sources. Al-Arabiya blamed Russia, reporting an “unspecified number of dead including children“. Shahba Press also put the death toll at three, including a child – and also attributed the incident to Russia. According to a 40-minute programme by

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS633

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and ten civilians died in alleged multiple Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. Asharq Al-awsat reported that ten civilians were killed, though didn’t say who was responsible for the strikes. Dummar media office said Russian warplanes had carried out six raids but didn’t provide casualty numbers. However, a tweet by

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(0–1 men)
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS632

LOCATION

تل نصري, Nasri, Al Hassakah, Syria

Up to five civilians including two children and possibly a woman were killed in an airstrike on Nasri, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Hassaka’s Youth Union reported that “two orphaned children, the grandchildren of the citizen Mohammad Al

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS631 CS176a

LOCATION

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
(2–7 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS629

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named another civilian male from Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa as a victim of “Russian air forces shelling” in Aleppo. The victim was additionally named by Syria Martrys, which also blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 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

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS630

LOCATION

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on southern Aleppo, according to local sources. They were named by the VDC. However according to Syria Martrys, Al-Haj Barakat (named  by the VDC) was a militant, not a civilian and died from a gun shot. It also listed Hameed Ramadan (65 years old) and

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–2 children)
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS627

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including up to five children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially attributed the incident to the Assad regime by posting an image of a child whom they said was wounded when regime warplanes fired on the neighborhood. However, it then

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3–5 children1 woman)
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

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS628

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, from Sheikh Miskeen in Dara’a, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Syria Martrys also named the victim and blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 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

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS624

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

One male child, was killed in Al Ghantu, according to local sources. However reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were to blame, and most pointed towards Assad artillery. Only the Violations Documentation Center attributed the incident to Russia. Homs Media Center named the victim, though didn’t say who was responsible. Koooookeh11 tweeted:

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS625

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Two civilians were killed and between 12 and 20 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources. VDC named the victims, as did Syria Martrys who blamed a Russian strike. According to M_alhameeed one non-combatant died and 20 more were injured in Russian raids on the city.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS626

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

One 40-year-old male civilian, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Hamra. The victim was named by the VDC, Syria Martrys and Mediakafrhamra – all of whom attributed the incident to Russia.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 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

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS623

LOCATION

جاسم, Jassem, Daraa, Syria

Three civilians (one man and his two children) died in an airstrike on Jassem, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network reported three deaths – “a father and his two children” – and blamed Russia. It also

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

CS172 RS622

LOCATION

الشدادي, Al-Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at Auto Bakery, although other

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 28
(4 children1 woman8 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS621

LOCATION

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria

Up to three civilians including one girl and two women were killed in an airstrike on Garnata according to two local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime carried out the attack. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out air raids

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child2 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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS622

LOCATION

الشدادي, Al Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at an auto bakery, although

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 28
(4 children1 woman8–10 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS620

LOCATION

الحامدية, Al Hamidiya hospital, Idlib, Syria

In a separate incident from the attacks on the National Hospital and the hospital for women and children (listed above for February 15th), between 13 and 26 civilians including up to seven women and at least two children died in airstrikes on the Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) hospital at Al Hamidiya, according to multiple sources

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 26
(2 children1–7 women22 men)
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
40 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS618

LOCATION

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria

Between four and seven civilians including three children were killed and several other civilians injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Abu al Duhur, according to local sources. Shaam News Network put the number killed at four and said the victims were all from the same family. But other sources – also blaming

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(3 children1 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS619 CS174

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

The Russian government accused the Coalition of killing nine civilians and injuring 26 in an airstrike on an MSF hospital at Maarat al Numan. This was later denied, with a Coalition report insisting “No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” According to a document and

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
Civilians reported injured
26
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS617

LOCATION

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria

Two or three civilians were killed in airstrikes on Harbnafsa according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Shaam News Network said that  Russian warplanes launched “intensive air raids on the town” in the morning. Activists documented eight strikes, leading to two

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(0–1 men)
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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS615

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 14 civilians including two children and one women were killed and 30 others injured in airstrikes on a children’s and women’s hospital in Azaz, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Activists told Shaam News Network that

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 14
(2 children1 woman7 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS616

LOCATION

كلجبرين‎, Kaljabreen, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and ten civilians including three to four children and one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kaljabreen, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes targeted a school for sheltering displaced people in Kaljabreen, “causing a horrific massacre“. According to an initial report by the Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(3–4 children1 woman)
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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS613

LOCATION

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Four non-combatants including one child died in airstrikes on Ain Tarma in Damascus governorate, according to two local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime carried out the attacks. The Shaam News Network reported that “The towns of eastern Ghouta are still living under bombardment by aviation Russian

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child0–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS614

LOCATION

حزرما, Hazrama, Damascus, Syria

The Shaam News Network reported that one civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Hazrama as part of “dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta”. The VDC listed one adult male, as killed in “warplane shelling” in Hazrama. The victim was also listed by Syrian Martyrs, who said he was killed

Summary

First published
February 15, 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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS611

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta” leading to the death of one civilian in Al Nashabiya. Abu-Muaz Al Dumi also blamed Russia.

Summary

First published
February 15, 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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS612

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians including four children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on Douma, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta“,

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1 woman0–1 men)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS610

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed and several others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, according to a single source. Shaam News Network said that “Russian aggression targeted several placed in the city several raids and then artillery targeted markets and public roads.” It added that “the bombardment also targeted one of the Central Ambulance

Summary

First published
February 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

February 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS608

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

One child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
February 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident