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

May 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS825

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

It was reported that up to ten civilians died in air raids on Kafr Hamra. The majority of sources linked the event to both Russian warplanes and regime helicopters. LCCSY reported that one civilian died and others were injured following alleged Russian raids on the town. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that ‘warplanes’

Summary

First published
May 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
Civilians reported injured
15–17
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 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1702 RS2813

LOCATION

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra

Summary

First published
December 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1891

LOCATION

طريق السد, Al Sadd street, Daraa, Syria

Between three and 10 civilians, including two to three women and three to five children, were killed and at least 12 others were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Sadd street in Dara’a, according to sources on the ground. Most of the victims of the airstrikes were from

Summary

First published
February 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 10
(3–5 children2–3 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2496

LOCATION

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the

Summary

First published
September 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS097

LOCATION

تادف, Tadeef, Aleppo, Syria

Up to ten civilians – at least two of them young children – were alleged killed following a reported Russian strike on Tadeef. Some victims were later named However neither the Syrian Observatory, Eldorar or Radio Alkul reported civilian deaths, instead describing between 12 and 15 injuries. Both Al Araby and Syria News also reported

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–15
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS161

LOCATION

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Six or more non-combatants, including three children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Mohassan. There were claims the death toll may have been as high as 10. While most sources blamed Russia, the Syrian Network later reported that “government warplanes shelled Al Mouhassan city in eastern Deir Al Zour suburbs

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(3 children1 man)
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3728

LOCATION

:خان السبل, Khan Al Subul, Idlib, Syria

At least four civilians, including two children, were killed and at least 12 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Khan Al Sabin, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. In what Shahba Press referred to as “heavy air raids”, Syria Civil Defense claimed that

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children1 woman1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1249

LOCATION

صلاح الدين, Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 10 civilians including three named children from the same family died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Salahudeen neighbourhood, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though a report by Buraq media which cited the use of “explosive barrels” in the attack means

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 10
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1508

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Eight named civilians died and up to 30 more were injured in air and artillery strikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. Reports blamed both Russian airstrikes and artillery/ mortar shelling by Syrian regime forces. Some reports also pointed to regime warplanes. Among targets hit was a primary school, prompting the Directorate of

Summary

First published
October 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child7 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1620

LOCATION

بلدة حريتان, Hraytan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 10 civilians were killed and “dozens” injured in an airstrike on Hraytan, Aleppo, according to a report by the Step News Agency. Step said: “More than ten killed and dozens injured – most of them women and children – and survivors were pulled out from under the rubble following Russian raids on the

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
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

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS184

LOCATION

حي طريق السد, Tareeq al Sadd, Daraa, Syria

Ten non-combatants, including five women and four children, were killed in an airstrike on the Tareeq al Sadd (Dam Road) neighborhood in Dara’a, according to multiple reports. The Union of Hama Rebels stated that one child, Limar Mirzo al-Teani, was killed in the alleged raid, while Shaam News Network posted a video depicting the dead bodies of a

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(4 children5 women1 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
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS633

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and ten civilians died in alleged multiple Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. Asharq Al-awsat reported that ten civilians were killed, though didn’t say who was responsible for the strikes. Dummar media office said Russian warplanes had carried out six raids but didn’t provide casualty numbers. However, a tweet by

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(0–1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS569 RS1963

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians died and up to 16 others were wounded in an airstrike on Maskana, according to local sources – though field reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia. The Coalition later denied involvement. Syria News said that “According to activists,

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(0–2 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2662

LOCATION

الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and ten civilians were killed – including two children, a woman and two men, and “dozens” more were injured, following airstrikes on Hamidiya. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most blamed Russian warplanes, however one blamed the Syrian regime, and another reported that Russian and “other planes” bombed the vicinity.

Summary

First published
October 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
(2 children1 woman1–2 men)
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, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1477

LOCATION

Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and 10 civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Sabha town in Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the event, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. The lowest death count was given as two by LCCSY, who blamed

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
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

October 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2604

LOCATION

الهزاعة, Al-Hazaa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and ten civilians were killed, including women and children, and “dozens” more were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Hazaa, according to sources on the ground. The incident allegedly occurred in the afternoon following Friday prayers, according to local media, and struck civilian homes and water wells. Multiple sources reported that this was

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
(2 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS815

LOCATION

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and ten civilians including one child and two women died – and 20 more people were injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Tal al Daman according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes used cluster bombs to strike the market. It put

Summary

First published
May 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–20
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

July 24, 2019

Incident Code

RS3946

LOCATION

قرية طبيش, Tabish village, Idlib, Syria

In the evening of July 24th, 2019, alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes caused what was described as “a horrific massacre” of an entire family in the village of Tabish near the city of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Idlib. Local sources reported that the airstrikes struck residential houses in the village of Tabish

Summary

First published
July 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(3–4 children2–3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
10
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1208

LOCATION

Mouhimidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and 10 civilians including five children died in airstrikes on Muhimidah in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The majority of sources, including Alamawi, Mohamaed202054, Alsharqia24 and Euphrates Post, blamed Russia, with death counts varying between seven

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
(5 children)
Civilians reported injured
10–20
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
Named victims
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS357

LOCATION

حي العامرية, Al Ameria (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and 10 civilians including one to three children were killed and up to 15 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Ameria and Al Sukkari neighbourhoods, according to multiple sources. The White Helmets said that eight civilians died and three were injured in a raid on Al Sukkari, but they did not state

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1–3 children6 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS741

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten civilians including four children died in airstrikes on Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources. Most reports blame the Assad regime. Shaam News said the strikes had been carried out by “Syrian and Russian planes”. It reported 20 injured non-combatants in addition to the ten killed. However, both Step News Agency and Baladi said that

Summary

First published
March 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(4 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1644

LOCATION

جبل بدرو, Jabal Badro, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians from the same family, including a woman, were killed by airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while SPM Syria and several other sources said that helicopters had dropped explosive barrels, meaning the regime could have been responsible. Several sources identified one of

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 10
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS892

LOCATION

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and ten civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasin, according to local media. According to the Shaam News Network, “Activists said Russian warplanes targeted a popular market crowded with civilians in the city of Qabasin, north of Al Bab city in the eastern Aleppo countryside, leaving six

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

March 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS3172

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Between five and ten civilians were killed, and dozens were wounded (mostly women and children), in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. @MOAZALSHAMY described the incident as a massacre; they attributed blame to Russia. The Step News Agency put the death

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
(1 child8 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1765

LOCATION

سَرْمِين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Between five and 10 civilians, including three to five children, a woman, and three men, were killed and at least 15 others were injured in airstrikes against the town of Sarmin in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 27, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
(3–5 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
8 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS731

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between five and ten civilians died and 10 more were injured in an airstrike on Al Salheen which violated a ceasefire, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Janobia reported that Russian raids on Al Salheen killed 10 civilians and wounded

Summary

First published
March 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1209

LOCATION

Hussaynah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and ten civilians including a woman and her child died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hussaynah, according to local media. Alamawi, Euphrates Post, Mkmoam123, Alnaba and Alsharqia24 all blamed Russia. Euphrates Post put the death toll as high as 10.

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2363

LOCATION

Arbeen, Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Between eight and 10 civilians including four to eight children and between one and two women died and as many as 50 others were wounded in multiple airstrikes on Arbeen in the Damascus countryside, according to sources on the ground. While several reports attributed this event to Russia, a number of sources didn’t identify the

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(4–8 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS582

LOCATION

كفر خاشر, Kafr Kasher, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and ten civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Kasher, according to local sources – though some didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Shaam News Network reported that there had been dozens of Russia raids launched on February 9th on Aleppo, leaving more than three dead “in a number of areas Kfar Kheshr

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3239

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians including four children were killed, while as many as 50 were wounded in airstrikes on Zamalka, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. The White Helmets were among some sources putting the death toll at four, with dozens more wounded. However, the Violations

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(4–5 children1 woman4–5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
10 named
View Incident