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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS040

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Two non-combatant males were killed in an alleged Russian strike on Tahtaya and were later named by the Violations and Documentation Centre. Syrian regime aircraft also reportedly bombed the town the day before, killing a woman and her daughter. However according to Qasioun – which posted a video of the attack – the event was

Summary

First published
October 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS038

LOCATION

تل سلطان, Tall Sultan, Idlib, Syria

Violations Documentation Center named an adult male from the town of Tel Azzan as having been killed in a Russian airstrike on a school building in nearby Tel Sultan, which also reportedly injured two.

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
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 belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS036

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

At least five and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed in heavy Russian airstrikes on the town of Darat Izza, according to reports. Al Jazeera said eight members of one family were among the dead. Five of those killed were later named by the local al Kanana Hospital. The Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 15
(5 men)
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS037

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Eight civilians were reported killed in a confirmed Russian airstrike at Hayyan. Images showed heavy destruction in civilian neighbourhoods, with a number of badly injured people rescued. The nearby Hraytan Hospital was also damaged according to Syria Relief and Development: “At 6:45 a.m. this morning in Syria, three Russian missiles targeted Hraytan Hospital, one of

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(5 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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS035

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Two young sisters named were reported by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in a Russian attack on Tahtaya in Idlib. A third fatality, an adult man, was later added to the list.  

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS034

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

Up to six civilians from one family, including a child and two women, were reported killed after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tamaanah. Two people were injured. The dead were later listed by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Local media activist Abdul Kader Al Bakri told the Network: “This time we traced a

Summary

First published
October 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1–2 children2 women2 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 belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS031

LOCATION

تل عاس, Telaas, Idlib, Syria

A possible civilian was reported killed in an alleged Russian strike at Telaas near Khan Shaykhoun. VDC named one adult male as a non-combatant victim. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported only that “A fighter from a combat force was killed from wounds sustained after Russian planes targeted Brigade 13 in Telaas in southern Idlib

Summary

First published
October 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS032

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Tamana’h, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in Al-Tamana’h. While the Violations Documentation Center attributed the deaths to Russian aircraft, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they were killed as a result of actions by Syrian regime helicopters.  

Summary

First published
October 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 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 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS033

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

A combined air assault by Russian attack helicopters – coupled with an attack by Syrian regime aircraft and ground forces – reportedly killed four civilians at Kafr Nbouda. They were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

First published
October 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 women2 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS029

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed at Jisr al Shughour. However, the cause was contested. While VDC blamed the attack on Russian forces, Radio al Kul, SOHR and Qasioun blamed the death on “regime heavy artillery.”

Summary

First published
October 8, 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