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 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS310

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Al Souria placed the fatalities higher, noting: “The initial death toll following the targeting of the outskirts to the city of Tel  Refaat  with rockets by Russian warplanes is six martyrs, with additional injuries among civilians,

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2–3 children)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS308

LOCATION

الديرونة, Daironeh, Hama, Syria

One adult male civilian, Staif al-Wahban, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Daironeh, Hama, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
December 24, 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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS309

LOCATION

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria

Seven or more civilians including two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ihress. Al Safira News reported “the death of two children and the injuring of more than 15 others, after more than 15 cars and trucks were bombed with cluster bombs which targeted a convoy of vehicles at a checkpoint

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 15
(2 children5 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS307

LOCATION

أم القرى, Um al Qura, Aleppo, Syria

One adult male civilian, Ali Al Akhras, was killed in an airstrike on Um Al Qura town, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. SN4HR reported that he died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Um Al Qura. The Violations Documentation Center listed him as killed “due to Russian air forces shelling” but did

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
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

December 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS304

LOCATION

حي العمال, Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Seven civilians including one child and five people from the same family were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Oummal, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian raids killed five members of the Wais al-Saleh family.    

Summary

First published
December 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 child6 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS305

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians – one woman and one female child – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two victims – a female child and a woman – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Hayyan, while the Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
December 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS306

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

One adult male, Mahmoud Sonae also known as Abo Mehyo of Ariha, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Mr Sonae was caught in a major airstrike on Idlib on December 20th, and appears to have died of his injuries three days later.  

Summary

First published
December 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS302

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians are listed as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib on December 22nd, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However both victims are also listed as having died in a strike on Idlib on December 20th. There are no additional reports of airstrikes on Idlib for December 22nd.    

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS303

LOCATION

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, Mudar Abdulhameed Ezz, was listed killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Taftanaz, according to the Violations Documentation Center. In fact Mr Ezz lived in Taftanez but died in a December 20th airstrike on Idlib, with his body recovered from the ruins of the courthouse two days later.  

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS301

LOCATION

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria

17 civilians including seven women and three children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Hamidiya neighbourhood, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently all named child victims (also named in the VDC list below). Violations Documentation Center named 15

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(3 children7 women7 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
15 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS300

LOCATION

بزينة, Bzeina, Damascus, Syria

Between 20 and 40 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in devastating alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bzeina, according to multiple reports. While the destruction of the market and surrounding homes was extensive, the aircraft may have been targeting rebels. Videos filmed at the scene show some casualties and rescuers in military

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 40
(13 men)
Civilians reported injured
40–200
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
13 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS298

LOCATION

كفر داعل, Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including two children were killed and several other children injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike which hit an elementary school in Kafr Da’el in the countryside west of Aleppo. According to the Shaam News Network which blamed Russia, local activists said those killed were a teacher (or possibly school superintendent)

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children)
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 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS299

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Between five and eight civilians including one to five women and four children were killed – and several other injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, Jisr al Shughour, according to multiple sources. Reports by the Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the town with two vacuum missiles, leading to the

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(4 children1–5 women3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS296

LOCATION

رامي, Al Rami, Idlib, Syria

Four or more civilians were reported killed and more than 10 injured in Russian airstrikes on the villages of Al Zawiya mountain. Footage appears to show a Su 24 in apparent Russian Air Force colours dropping two bombs in the vicinity of the town. According to the Shaam News Network five or more Russian airstrikes with rockets

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS297

LOCATION

الشيخ مقصود, Sheikh Maqsod (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two or three civilians were reported killed and nine injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Maqsod, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that Russian warplanes launched several raids which came after the signing of a ceasefire between  rebels and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units. However all other sources blamed the Assad regime.

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
9–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS295

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Up to fifteen civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to the Shaam News Network. It said the raids were carried out by tens of Russian warplanes, adding that about 40 raids additional raids also targeted nearby towns and villages relating to battles between rebels and the

Summary

First published
December 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 15
Civilians reported injured
24–25
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 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS294

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

At least six civilians including one woman and two children from the same family were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the food stores of A’dala, a relief organisation in Al Ghouta, according to reports. Significant food stores were targeted and destroyed and around 70 sheep slain.    

Summary

First published
December 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(2 children1 woman1 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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS293

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and 11 civilians were reported killed including two children in three airstrikes on Al Bab, according to multiple reports. Shahba Press claimed that “Russian warplanes launched three air strikes on al Bab City, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including two children, in addition to a large number of injuries and

Summary

First published
December 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 11
(2 children)
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
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS292

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Between 43 and 73 civilians were reported killed and 70-170 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, according to multiple sources. Al Jazeera posted a video from the main market on Al Jala’a street in which the reporter said 47 non-combatants were killed and 70 injured, in strikes by Russian warplanes. The correspondent said the street contained two schools,

Summary

First published
December 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
43 – 73
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
70–170
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
43 named, 5 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 19, 2015

Incident Code

RS291

LOCATION

العثمانية, Al Othmaniya, Aleppo, Syria

A 50-year old woman named as Mrs. Salwa Al Shahadi, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Othmaniya. The VDC reported that Mrs al Shadadi originally came from Zimar village, and died “due to Russian air forces shelling on Othmaniye town.“ The local Jisr TV station blamed her death and several injuries on “airstrikes

Summary

First published
December 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS290

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Four to five civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, north of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

First published
December 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS289

LOCATION

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Seventeen non-combatants including eight women and nine children were killed in airstrikes on Najieh near Jisr al Shughour according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Thirteen of those killed as well as an unborn child came from one family, the

Summary

First published
December 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(9 children8 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
Named victims
18 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS288

LOCATION

حي المرجة, Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria

Dozens were reported killed and injured in a friendly fire incident when Russian warplanes allegedly targeted Al Murja, killing dozens of regime fighters by mistake, according to the Shaam News Network. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS286

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Eight to nine civilians including two children and five women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Azaz, according to multiple sources. The White Helmets, Al Jazeera, the Shaam News Network and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Russia carried out the raid, which killed nine non-combatants. SOHR said this included a child, a girl

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(2 children5 women1 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS287

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians were reported killed and 2 to 25 injured in an airstrike on Al Bab, according to multiple sources – though it is unclear whether regime shelling or Russian warplanes were responsible for the attacks. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four non-combatants were killed and several others injured when warplanes

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
Civilians reported injured
2–25
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 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS285

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

21 civilians were killed including two women and four children and 11 wounded in airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods in the centre and north and south of the city of Raqqa, according to multiple sources –  though it is unclear whether regime or Russian warplanes or shelling by the Assad regime were responsible for the casualties. According to

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
(4 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS283

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Eight people were reported killed and 40 wounded in three alleged Russian night time airstrikes on Al Bab according to multiple sources. Though the ISIL-lnked news agency Al A’maq claimed the deaths were “as a result of the Russian strikes” VDC blamed the fatalities on “the regime air forces’ shelling with explosive barrels on a

Summary

First published
December 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child2 women6 men)
Civilians reported injured
40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS284

LOCATION

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

One civilian male named as Shadi Samir Bakkour was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Najieh, with two or more others injured. The local civil defence team tweeted “One martyr, several injured from Russian airstrikes with vacuum bombs on Najiah village in Jisr el Shoughour countryside.”  

Summary

First published
December 16, 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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS281

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians including two children were killed in airstrikes on the Fardous neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to multiple sources – though it is unclear whether regime or Russian warplanes were responsible for the attacks. The Shaam News Network reported that three non-combatants were killed in Russian airstrikes. But the White Helmets suggested that the Assad regime may have

Summary

First published
December 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children)
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 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS282

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, named as Khaled Iyad al-Khaled, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
December 15, 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
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident