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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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