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

December 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS279

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

26 to 30 civilians including five women were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Maskaneh, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian aircraft committed an “appalling massacre” when warplanes targeted Maskaneh’s popular market

Summary

First published
December 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26 – 30
(5 women21 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
26 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS280

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Ma'arat Al Nu'ssan, Idlib, Syria

Between 16 and 34 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured in airstrikes on a fuel market in Ma’arat Al Nu’ssan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched cluster bombs on

Summary

First published
December 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 34
Civilians reported injured
100
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

December 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS278

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were killed and nine injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij, according to Al A’maq News and Shaam News Network. SNN reported that the raid came as other areas in the countryside of eastern Aleppo (Maskaneh, Deir Hafer and Al Bab) faced Russian shelling but noted that despite these cities being under IS control the

Summary

First published
December 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
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

December 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS276

LOCATION

حي المرجة, Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and seven civilians including one woman and one child were killed – and many injured – in airstrikes on the Al Murja neighbourhood in Aleppo – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes using cluster

Summary

First published
December 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1 woman4 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS277

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Five to six non-combatants including one child were reported killed – and several others injured – in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian”

Summary

First published
December 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child)
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS275

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrike on Maarat Al Numan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Both Shaam News Network and Almarra Today reported that the Russians were responsible for firing cluster bombs on the city, while

Summary

First published
December 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child4 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS274

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two adult male civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sakhour, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Five additional victims may also have died, including a woman and girl. Halab TV also reported at least one death from an air raid, though did not identify a perpetrator: “Warplanes launched two air strikes

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 child1 woman2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS273

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Three adult males (one named as Othman al-Shayta aka Abu Omar possibly a civilian), were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Harasta. The same dead were listed by the White Helmets who said that six air raids and artillery bombing on civilian neighbourhoods in Harasta had led to the deaths of three people, the injuring of

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(3 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

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS272

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Between 42 and 70 civilians, including five women nine to 20 children were killed and between 24 and 250 others wounded in aerial and missile bombardments of Douma and nearby locations in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that shelling by the regime killed 38, including five women and

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
42 – 70
(9–20 children)
Civilians reported injured
24–250
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
37 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS271

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

The Al A’maq agency (linked to so-called Islamic State) produced multiple reports on alleged Russian airstrikes which targeted the city of Maskaneh. They stated that two raids hit a popular market in the city, killing 25 civilians, injuring 33 (including 10 in critical condition) and causing destruction of property. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24 – 25
(2–3 children2 women6 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–35
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

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS269

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed and 20 injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Al Bab. Up to 10 ISIL militants were also reported killed. Media activist Nassim Al Shamali said Russian warplanes launched several raid with cluster bombs on Daesh-occupied Al Bab, targeting al Noveaute street, Dowar al Manshie and several other

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS270

LOCATION

سقبا, Sakba, Damascus, Syria

Between four and five non-combatants were killed in airstrikes on Sakba, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that two civilians died in two alleged Russian strikes on the town. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported unspecified losses also due to alleged Russian attacks. However, footage of the attack from two separate

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS268

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twelve civilians – most of which were women and children – were killed and several injured in an airstrike on Al Soussa – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. One source also blames the Coalition. The Shaam News Network initially reported that 10 non-combatants

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(5 children6 women1 man)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
23 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS266

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Between 13 and 33 civilians, including three women and nine children, were killed and between 30 and 60 injured in airstrikes on Daesh-occupied Mabij, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The IS news agency Al A’maq reported that

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 33
(9 children3 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS267

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Between 14 and 20 civilians, including three women and two children, were killed and between two and 12 injured in airstrikes on Al Atarib, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network initially reported that four non-combatants,

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 20
(2 children3 women13–14 men)
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
Named victims
19 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS264

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the VDC. The victim has been named as Zamzam Abdo Al Laban from Kafr Zita Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS265

LOCATION

سبع و اربعين, Saba’a wa Arba’een, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian attack by helicopters on southern rural villages of Hassaka, according to Siraj Al Hasskawi, an activist from the region. Hasskawi noted that if the helicopters proved to be Russian then this would be the first raid in the area since the announcement

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS263

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Two male civilians were reported killed in either a Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Arbeen. The town’s local medical committee reported “Dozens of injured received by the hospital in Arbeen after the outskirts of the town of Arbeen, Zamalka and other eastern Ghouta towns were targeted by warplanes that are still targeting public places

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS261

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Russian air raid on the village of al Baghouz in eastern Deir Ezzor led to at least three deaths including a child. According to area blogger al Hussein al Hashimi “a raid on the village of al Baghouz targeting the home of Raheel al Majoul led to the death of Ibrahim al Majoul.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(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
Unknown
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS262

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was reported killed and another civilian injured in an alleged Russian airstrike at Hajeen. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS260

LOCATION

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre alleged that Russian warplanes carried out dawn airstrikes on Najieh village. One adult male victim has been named by the VDC as Nabeil Shawa, who died “due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling of the town with cluster bombs.” The village

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
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

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS258

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fardous, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No additional details are presently known.    

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS259

LOCATION

زغير, Zughayr, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and seven non-combatants were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Zughayr, according to the Shaam News Network and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the civilians died when an oil field was targeted by Russian warplanes. SNN put the death toll higher, at seven.  

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS256

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One male child, Khaled Nihad al-Nuna , was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the Violations Documentation Centre. Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS257

LOCATION

القصابية, Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria

Between four and eight civilians including three children were killed and more than 20 injured in an airstrike on Al Qassabiya – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes struck a centre for bread distribution in the town and

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
15–20
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS255

LOCATION

بزاعة, Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one woman and her two children were killed in an airstrike on Baza’a – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Violations Documentation Centre listed three unidentified non-combatants as killed in Russian shelling. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, blamed the regime.  

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS254

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Three adult males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita. The victims were named by the VDC. While most described the trio as civilians, one tweet said they were rebel fighters with the group Ajnad al Sham. Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS253

LOCATION

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One 30-year-old male civilian, Mohammad Muffed Razzouq, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Salheen, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS252

LOCATION

كفر نايا, Kafr Naya, Aleppo, Syria

Three children and a civilian man were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naya, Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that three civilians were killed by Russian warplanes but listed all the victims as children. The VDC named two victims and also included one Unidentified –

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS250

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Up to nine civilians were killed, including six children, and 14 more people wounded including a woman, in airstrikes and ground assaults on Al Nashabiya. According to Shaam News the civilian deaths were a result of “violent attacks” by Russian warplanes and Assad’s forces. Activists published images showing the bodies of children who had “been broken in pieces by

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(5–6 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
14
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