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

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1167

LOCATION

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and nine non-combatants died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on a bus or cars carrying civilians on the road between Khan Tuman town and the Al Ramoseh neighbourhood of Aleppo city, local media reported. All but one source attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1200

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Masreen, Idlib, Syria

Between four and 10 civilians died and up to 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on a popular vegetable market in Maaret Masreen, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, most sources agreed that cluster bombs had been used in

Summary

First published
August 30, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
Civilians reported injured
20–35
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1232

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and up to three others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan in Idlib, according to local media. Halab Today reported: “A civilian was killed and others wounded in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man due to warplanes shelling with cluster bombs” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported the use

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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

September 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1264

LOCATION

البزاعة, Bazaa, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians including two children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Bazaa village, according to local media. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though there was also one allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Press Center

Summary

First published
September 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
18–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1297

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed in the al Maysar neighbourhood of Aleppo following heavy air strikes with cluster bombs, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or regime helicopters were to blame. @ShahbaPress, @Step_Agency, SNN, and @ALAMAWI all tweeted that one civilian was “martyred” in the

Summary

First published
September 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1329

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 25 civilians were reportedly killed and up to 75 more injured in airstrikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 25
Civilians reported injured
75
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

September 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1361

LOCATION

Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and four people were killed in airstrikes on Qadi Askar in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. AMC reported that two children were killed, while The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “at least one child” had died, while AleppoAMC put the number at four. Most sources didn’t name the belligerent, though

Summary

First published
September 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–4 children)
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 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1394

LOCATION

شيخ سعيد, al Sheikh Said, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strikes in Sheik Said, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians. “So_ria98” attributed the strike to Russia, while the media Zaman al-Wasl pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1427

LOCATION

الزربة, al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Six named civilians from the same family, including two children, died in an airstrike on the town al-Zirba in Aleppo, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center “regime warplanes shelled Zirba after midnight, killing four civilians

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1459

LOCATION

Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Three women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike Talbissa, according to sources on the ground. Homs Media Centre added that 16 civilians were wounded in the incident. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
16
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 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1491

LOCATION

al Sheikh Mustapha, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Sheikh Mustapha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights on October 22nd, “the number of civilians who were killed by Russian airstrikes in the

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1544

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Between nine and 11 civilians were killed, including between six to eight children and two pregnant women, and seven other civilians were injured, including three children and a woman, in airstrikes launched against the residential neighbourhood Khan Sheikhoun. Three of the named children were brothers from one family that, according to sources, had come to

Summary

First published
November 8, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(6–9 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
11 named, 2 families identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1851

LOCATION

دير الزورحي الشيخ ياسين , Al Sheikh Yasin neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On January 21, 2017, two children, brothers called Mazen Siraj Al Nahri and Mohammed Siraj Nahri were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor’s Al Sheikh Yasin neighbourhood, according to local media. Several other civilians were wounded in the incident. Syrian Mirror reported: “warplanes likely to be Russian struck the neighborhoods of

Summary

First published
January 21, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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

March 1, 2020

Incident Code

RS4497

LOCATION

السحارة, Al Sahara, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reportedly injured as a result of an alleged Russian bombing or an alleged attack by Syrian army’s launchers on the village of Al Sahharah west of Aleppo, on the afternoon of March 1st, 2020 according to local sources. SDCAleppo stated that one civilian was injured as a result of Russian bombardment that

Summary

First published
March 1, 2020
Last updated
March 1, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2020

Incident Code

RS4530

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians, including one child, and up toaround 12 others, including one child and four women were injured as a result of alleged artillery shelling by Syrian Regime and/or Russian forces on the city of Ariha, south of Idlib on the morning of November 4th 2020 according to local sources and news agencies.

Summary

First published
November 4, 2020
Last updated
March 2, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2022

Incident Code

R4455

LOCATION

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria

One civilian farmer was injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian thermal missile attack which destroyed his car on the morning of August 2nd, 2022 in Al Bara, a southern town of Idlib. No further reports of civilian harm have been reported. The farmer was named by @abualisar18 and @g5VgKRPXfPQdfz9 as Ammar Mustafa Al-Qajji. He

Summary

First published
August 2, 2022
Last updated
August 30, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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

November 20, 2022

Incident Code

R4491

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughur, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed when an unexploded cluster bomb originally launched by Syrian regime or Russian forces exploded in agricultural land on the outskirts of the city of Jisr Al Shughur on November 20, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a child was killed when a cluster bomb from a previous bombing, attributed to the Syrian

Summary

First published
November 20, 2022
Last updated
December 1, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
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

July 10, 2023

Incident Code

R4530

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

On July 10th 2022, Syrian regime and/or Russian forces reportedly shelled the village of Al Atareb in western countryside of Aleppo, resulting in the injury of one elderly woman. Local sources including @SyriaCivilDefe and Baladi News stated that an elderly woman had been injured on the outskirts of Atarib, coinciding with an intense flight of

Summary

First published
July 10, 2023
Last updated
August 4, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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

October 5, 2023

Incident Code

R4574

LOCATION

ادلب, a main road and a camp in Idlib outskirts, Idlib, Syria

Two men were reportedly killed, one man injured and up to more than 30 civilians were wounded after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian and/or Iranian artillery struck the outskirts of Idlib town in Syria on Thursday, October 5th, 2023. Idlib Media Center and Revolution Radio Facebook accounts posted images of the clouds of smoke arising

Summary

First published
October 5, 2023
Last updated
February 20, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
IDP or refugee camp
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–31
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 29, 2023

Incident Code

R4617

LOCATION

كنصفرة, outskirts of Kansafra, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Shortly before 8:55 AM on Sunday, October 29, 2023, a 17-year-old-girl was injured by artillery shelling with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military and/or Iranian military while she was harvesting olives with her family on the outskirts of Kansafra, in the southern countryside of Idlib, Syria. Twitter/X user @Ahmad_1alshble was

Summary

First published
October 29, 2023
Last updated
July 2, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS010

LOCATION

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including three children were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafir. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, ten civilians were also injured when the attack struck the local market. Al Jazeera placed the death toll at 25 while Shaam Network said that 20 were killed. There were some local

Summary

First published
October 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 25
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

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 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS075

LOCATION

جبل الزاوية, Jabal Al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Media activist Wassim Al A’dil was one of two civilians reported killed in an airstrike at Jabal al Zawiya. The other has been named by Violations Documentation Center as Mohammad Abd al-Razzaq al-Harami. The pair were reportedly on their way to cover nearby Russian airstrikes when they were caught up in an attack. Shaam News

Summary

First published
October 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS108

LOCATION

منطقة أسيا, Assiya, Aleppo, Syria

An unnamed civilian male was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Assiya. Almodon made no mention of civilian casualties, though did report strikes by “Russian jet fighters” on Assiya. No additional information is presently available.  

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS143

LOCATION

بينين, Benin, Idlib, Syria

Up to four non-combatants, including two children, were killed and 10 injured in alleged Russian nighttime airstrikes on Benin. The Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that phosphorous weapons may have been used in two strikes, which burned 500m of agricultural land. Additional strikes then targeted an olive pressing facility and a bakery in Bayneen.

Summary

First published
November 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS176 CS148

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources reported that an adult woman from Soran in Hama governorate was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Violations Documentation has published the name & photo of the victim which as said he was killed due to the coalition air force’s shelling.  In their January 2020 civilian casualty assessment, the US-led

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS208

LOCATION

أباد, Abbada, Aleppo, Syria

A family of four was reported killed in the village of Abbad in the Aleppo countryside, following alleged Russian raids. An eyewitness reported the following to Orient News: “Everyone here works in agriculture and shepherding. I was in the shop buying some things and we saw the plane. It struck the first blow on the

Summary

First published
November 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS252

LOCATION

كفر نايا, Kafr Naya, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 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 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS317

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One adult male, Yehya Abdulrazzaq Hamdan “al-Kerbaa”, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Fresh Syria said Russian aircraft had targeted the city’s industrial district.  

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident