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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3169

LOCATION

قسطون, Kastoun , Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Kastoun. According to SNN, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes accompanied by heavy shelling and artillery shelling targeting the towns of Al Latamna, Kafarzita,Al  Zakat, Zalaqiyat, Hasraya,Al Arbaeen and the villages of kastoun in the western countryside”. @HamahNow reported “air

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3168

LOCATION

الأربعين, Al Arbaeen, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following alleged Russia air or artillery strikes on Al Arbaeen. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling, artillery fire and phosphorous bombs

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3167

LOCATION

حصرايا, Hasraya, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Hasraya. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling,

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3166

LOCATION

الزلاقيات, Al Zalaqiyat, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Zalaqiyat. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3165

LOCATION

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Zakat. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3164

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Lataminah. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3163

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Most sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime or the raids. Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes launched a rocket-propelled grenade in the center of the city, killing one woman and wounding four others, including two women

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3162

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Up to eight civilians killed and as many as 32 others were wounded in airstrikes on Hamouriya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The Violations Documentation Centre reported that seven unidentified civilians were killed. There were as many as four raids. There was an intensive “aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 8
Civilians reported injured
32
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3161

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

A single source reported that “three civilians were killed and others were injured by an air bomb likely to be a Russian on the town of Beit sawa (12 km east of Damascus), pointing to the death of a person from wounds sustained by the past days.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3160

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed, including one adult male, by air and artillery shelling in Beit Sawa, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes. Marsad Al Hasaka, who reported that the victim was the father of three children, added that an unspecified number of civilians were also wounded in

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3157

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Three to four civilians were killed due to injuries sustained in an earlier shelling on Douma, according to local media. Sources attributed this strike to both Russia and the Syrian regime. According to SHRC.arabic, “three people affected by the impact of a previous air strike that targeted the city of Douma in the province of

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(4 men)
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3153

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

As many as 15 civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Douma, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime helicopters and Russian warplanes for the strikes. As well as the seven named victims below, the Violations Documentation Centre listed four unidentified adult males. It must however

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 15
(4 children1 woman11 men)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3155

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

A family of five was killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded, in an airstrike which hit the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters. @aboarab28176261 reported “The martyrdom of the whole family and the injury of several civilians, including women and children, by the bombing of

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3154

LOCATION

بين بلدة مسرابا, Area between Douma and Misraba, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed, including two children and one woman, and dozens more were injured, in air and artillery strikes on the area between Douma and Misraba, local sources reported. The raids struck a residential vicinity however there were no reports of material damage. The deaths and wounded occurred “as a result of the shelling

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3153

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

As many as 15 civilians were killed, including three children and a woman, and many more were wounded, in airstrikes on Douma. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Seven deceased civilians were named however four were reported by VDC as unidentified. As many as nine civilians were

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
(4 children1 woman6 men)
Civilians reported injured
19–9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Named victims
6 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3152

LOCATION

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Otaya, local media reported. There were not many specific details reported, but it is clear that Otaya was one of many small towns struck in Idlib on the 3rd. Arabic Euro reported “the latest air raids and

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3149

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

As many as eight civilians were killed in airstrikes on Beit Sawa, according to local media. Although most sources reported that only one girl (aged five) and four men died, the highest death toll was given as eight. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. Rockets and explosive barrels from helicopters

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(2 children1 woman4 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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3148

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Between two and 15 civilians were killed, and several others were wounded, in airstrikes on Hamouriya, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. As many as “30 Syrian shells” were fired on the vicinity, according to Sky News. Rockets and barrel bombs coming from helicopters targeted the

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
(1 child1 woman1 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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3151

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

An entire family was reportedly burned to death due to a napalm bomb attack on Mesraba, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Sky News reported on “injury to civilians [including] burns and wounds, and that the shelling of the town occurred at midnight and repeated in the morning”. @Dmcpress_ar 

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3150

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed and several others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes for the raids. Mohamad Al Shaar, who named the civilians, reported that Ibrahim Far’oun (Al Harb), aged 18, was Al Mujahed (fighter). This suggests he

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–2 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3147

LOCATION

المحمدية, Al Muhammadiya , Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Muhammadiya, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian for the raids. Barrel bombs, helicopters and artillery targeted a residential neighbourhood, according to local media. According to local media, a child and three adult

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child3 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3138

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media. Step News Agency reported that “in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 14
(2 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3144

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

A young man was killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, according to social media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. Sources were conflicted as to whether the young man was a civilian or a non-civilian. VDC reported that he was a non-civilian, however all other sources reported he was a civilian. According to local

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(0–1 men)
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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3146

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded due to airstrikes in Kafar Zita. Sources did not attribute blame, however this raid occurred at the same time as the allegedly join Russian and Syrian regime raid on “village of Hawija, west of Hama, Latmeen Village north of Hama, and the cities of Al Latamna and Kafarzita”.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3145

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamna, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians was wounded and three were killed due to air and artillery strikes on Al Latamna, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Although Smart News reported that the aftermath was limited to material damage, Step News reported that some civilians were wounded

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3143

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Dear Al Asafir, Damascus, Syria

Two civilians were reported to have been killed in airstrikes by both the Syrian regime and Russia. Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report on this raid. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3142

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in napalm bomb strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, however the majority of source attributed blame to the Syrian regime. Huge fires were caused as a result of the

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(2 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3141

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

As many as four civilians were reported as killed, and others injured, due to air and artillery strikes in Beit Sawa, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. The raids struck a residential area, and killed as many as three children. The Syrian Civil Defence reported “three

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2–3 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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3140

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed and “others” were wounded, in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. The named civilian was reported to have been displaced. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3139

LOCATION

الحويجة, Al Hwaija, Hama, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed – including a pregnant woman – and three others were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Hwaija, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes. A man and a pregnant woman were included in the death toll. However, the man named by

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 woman0–1 men)
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
View Incident