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

October 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS070

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Eighteen civilians were killed in heavy airstrikes on Talbiseh, all from the Aloush and Swais families. Nine children were among the dead following at least three air raids. Graphic footage shows bombs being dropped in the centre of the town, followed by desperate rescue operations. Opinion was divided on whether the attacks were by Russian

Summary

First published
October 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(9 children5 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
18 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS067

LOCATION

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Observatory, reported a man dying from injuries sustained earlier in the day following an alleged Russian airstrike on Gharnata. No other details are presently available.  

Summary

First published
October 22, 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS068

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A wave of night time airstrikes hit a number of civilian objects in the city according to reports, killing seven to eight non-combatants. At least 11 and as many as 40 Daesh militants were also reported killed. According to the Syrian Observatory, “13 airstrikes targeted places near the Emergency Branch, the Hospitality Palace, Hawd al-Forat

Summary

First published
October 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
50
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

October 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS065

LOCATION

رسم حمام, Rasim al Hammam, Hama, Syria

Three civilians – a woman and two girls – were reported killed and ‘many wounded’ after an alleged Russian airstrike on a former school in which internally displaced civilians were said to be sheltering.  

Summary

First published
October 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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

October 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS066

LOCATION

أبو خنادق, Abu al Khanadak, Hama, Syria

Six people were killed – including four women – following an alleged Russian strike on civilian homes at Abu al Khanadak. The dead were later named by VDC. Images obtained by Shaam showed significant damage at the site.  

Summary

First published
October 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 women2 men)
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, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS064

LOCATION

الرهجان, Al Rahjan, Hama, Syria

The VDC lists four unidentified civilian males as having been killed by “Russian air force shelling” at Al Rahjan in Hama. Other sourcing is weak, with the Syrian state news agency Sana attributing the attack to Assad regime aircraft, while Al Watan mentions only ‘aircraft.’  

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS062

LOCATION

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

A reported Russian airstrike on an empty school complex allegedly killed up to a dozen people, according to reports. Reporting from Sarmin, Orient News reporter Abu Mahmoud described the event: “Russian occupation forces targeted the town of Sarmeen with steric missiles. The target was a children’s school.. they are two schools next to each other,

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS063

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar Rastan, Homs, Syria

A number of civilians were reported injured, after a midnight Russian air raid on the headquarters of a local rebel faction based in Ar Rastan. Two fighters were confirmed killed. one of whom was originally reported to have been a non-combatant. According to Sin News, the air raid “resulted in the collapse of the entire

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS061

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Russian airstrikes killed at least 14 non-combatants according to multiple accounts. The first strike at 1pm hit near a school and a field hospital in the town of Sarmin run by the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS.) A secondary strike or ‘double tap – captured on camera – shows an apparently deliberate attack on rescue workers

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 17
(13 men)
Civilians reported injured
28–30
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

October 19, 2015

Incident Code

RS059

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

An airstrike in the vicinity of al Karnish Street in Al Bab – either Russian or Assad regime – killed up to ten people and caused a significant number of injuries, according to reports. Al Bab Free Syria reported that “Ten martys died as a result of [regime airstrikes], among whom were members of the

Summary

First published
October 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
(1 child1 woman3 men)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2015

Incident Code

RS060

LOCATION

بشرفة, Bisharfeh, Latakia, Syria

In a reported mass casualty incident, at least 15 and as many as 57 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike on the town of Bisharfeh in the Jabal al-Akrad area. Many of the victims were reported to be women and children. Al Khaleej cited a local civil defence official: “The shelling came from a

Summary

First published
October 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 57
Civilians reported injured
24
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

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS058

LOCATION

الوضيحي, Al Widehi, Aleppo, Syria

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS056

LOCATION

تيرمعلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

An adult male civilian named as Ammar Al Ali was reported killed in an alleged new Russian airstrike on Teir Ma’ala. Al Arabiya reported that “The northern countryside of Homs saw a fierce attack [on October 18th] with an attempt to break into the area by regime forces under air cover provided by Russian aircraft.

Summary

First published
October 18, 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

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS057

LOCATION

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilian males were reported killed when their car was struck in an alleged Russian airstrike at Zerbeih. Three people were also reported injured in the attack. The men were named by VDC as Mohammad Subhi Basheir and Abdo Ali. Footage and interviews from the town showed extreme damage to at least one civilian neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS055

LOCATION

بزينة, Bazeena, Damascus, Syria

A seven year old girl and two civilian adults were killed and a dozen injured in an airstrike on the town of Bazeena – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The dead child was named as Ghazal Al Tokhi [pictured below], with one

Summary

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

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS054

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Dayr Al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria

One possible non-combatant was reported killed at Dayr al Asafeer, according to a single source. Shaam News Network reported that a joint air-ground assault by Russian and Assad forces “led to the fall of one martyr” in the town, though no further details were given of their status.  

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS053

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named Omar Al Sheikh Hammoud from Talbiseh as a civilian victim of a Russian airstrike on Al Ghantu. He had been severely injured in a strike the day before. Video filmed on October 18th shows rebels attempting to shoot down a suspected Russian aircraft over the town. A major Syrian Army

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 men)
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

October 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS052

LOCATION

عرفة, Arafeih, Idlib, Syria

A young boy named as Mohammad Hussain Al Jassem later died of his injuries, six days after an October 17th airstrike on the town of Arafeih. According to reports the child was injured by shrapnel in the original attack. And on October 31st, a civilian male named as Hasan Ahmad Al Nazouha also died as

Summary

First published
October 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS051

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets reported that three children were killed in the countryside near Damascus following a ‘Russian airstrike.’ Al Etihad said the aircraft was a Russian Air Force Su-24. VDC named the children without specifying which nation’s aircraft were responsible. . However Shaam News described the attack as having been the work of the Syrian

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS049

LOCATION

تيرمعلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

For the second day in a row Russian aircraft reportedly targeted Teir Ma’ala, this time killing nine or more civilians according to reports. “Russian warplanes launched two raids on the town of Teir Ma’alah missiles, one of which targeted the area around the town mosque, which killed nine and about four wounded, mostly women and

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 12
(1 child10 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
11 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS050

LOCATION

كفر كرمين, Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria

Between ten and 13 civilians including five children died in a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Kafr Karmin. The Syrian Network later named some eight of the including one man, two women and five children. One eyewitness said the attack came “Exactly after Friday prayer [when] Russian planes targeted the village of Kafr Karmeen

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 13
(5 children2 women1 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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS046

LOCATION

الدار الكبيره, Dar Al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dar Al Kabira in Homs. According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
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

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS047

LOCATION

سابقية, Sabkiye, Aleppo, Syria

A husband, wife and their three children, all boys, were reported killed in a Russian airstrike at Sabkiye, in Aleppo governorate. This event is presently single-sourced, with few details known. More broadly, the Syrian Observatory reported a major ground battle taking place at Sabkiye on the same day.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS048

LOCATION

الحاضر, Al Hader Hospital, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes hit the Al Hader hospital in southern Aleppo governorate on two consecutive days, “which led to the fall of victims, including members of the medical staff,” according to Eldorar. The Violations Documentation Center later named 20-day old baby as a victim of the strike.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
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

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS044

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Five civilians were killed in a heavy airstrike on Talbiseh, according to reports. Most attributed the attack to Russia, though at least one local report said the strike was the work of Syrian regime aircraft.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women4 men)
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS045

LOCATION

الفرحانية, Al Farhaniah, Homs, Syria

Three civilians were reported by al Jazeera as having been killed in a Russian strike on Al Farhaniah – part of a major wave of attacks that day. However footage of civilians transported to a local hospital described injuries from ‘artillery,’ with Homs News also reporting that regime shelling had targeted the town.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS043

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

An air raid shelter in the village of Al Ghantu was reportedly hit in a Russian airstrike, killing up to 48 people from one extended family. Among the dead were at least 23 children and nine women. A local cameraman captured the moment the missile from an apparent Russian Air Force Su-24 hit (see below)

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
45 – 48
(23–33 children9–13 women13 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
44 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS042

LOCATION

تيرمعلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

As many as 57 civilians were killed in a sequence of Russian airstrikes across Homs governorate. According to reports the attacks were in support of a Syrian regime ground offensive, backed by Iranian troops. In Teir Ma’ala, up to 23 non-combatants were said to have died alongside militants in a 6am attack. The Syrian Observatory

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 23
(2 children1 woman7 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
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS041

LOCATION

الزيارة, Al Zeyara, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named a civilian male who was reported killed by cluster munitions following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Al Zeyara.

Summary

First published
October 14, 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

October 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS039

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

A woman was reported killed in Russia’s first confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus, which struck the suburb of Hamouriya.  

Summary

First published
October 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident