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

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS668

LOCATION

درعا البلد, Dara al Balad, Daraa, Syria

Up to five civilians including one or two children died in an airstrike or artillery bombardment on Dara al Balad, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was a Russian strike or action by the Syrian regime. Among the sources blaming Russia were Khaled Abu Slem, Abn_Horan and Syria

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS700

LOCATION

الزعينية, Al Zou’ainiyah, Idlib, Syria

Up to four people died and at least 10 were injured when a ballistic missile hit Al Zou’ainiyah – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russian warships or the Assad regime. Alaraby reported that Russian warships stationed in the Mediterranean launched ballistic missiles on Al Zou’ainiyah, resulting in three

Summary

First published
March 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(0–2 women2–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS732

LOCATION

كفرنبل‎, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian may have died in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to two local sources. The VDC listed Jameel al Ekel as a victim of a Russian strike but says the victim is from Kafr Nabil, and doesn’t state where he was killed. Fresh News reports the same victim killed  “in warplane

Summary

First published
March 13, 2016
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
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS764

LOCATION

الأتارب, Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Five consecutive airstrikes on a civil defense center in Atarib killed up to six members of the White Helmets. Reports however were conflicted: most blame the Assad regime, with only one (the Shaam News Network) alleging that this was the work of Russia – and reporting here was confused. According to the White Helmets, there

Summary

First published
April 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(6 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS797

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that two civilians were killed and up to seven people were wounded following alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the village of Babis in the countryside of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia, some said the Syrian regime was responsible, and again others did not identify who carried out the raids.

Summary

First published
May 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS830

LOCATION

كفرجالس‬, Kafr Jaless farmlands, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from one family died and several others were injured when farmlands at Kafr Jaless were hit with airstrikes, said reports by local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on houses

Summary

First published
June 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS862

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Five children died in airstrikes on Asl Sukhnah, according to two local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” struck civilians homes killing five individuals, most of them children in dawn raids. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes killed five children, three of whom were siblings.

Summary

First published
June 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(5 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS894

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One girl died and one other unidentified civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local media. SRG_syria, @freesyria28 reported the death of a child in what they said was a Russian raid. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among other sources who didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the strike. The

Summary

First published
June 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS927

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Two to four civilians died including, two children following alleged Russian raids on Hraitan, Aleppo governorate, according to local sources. The source, Orient, reported strikes caused significant material damage and “huge fires” in the town, resulting in several others wounded. @ALAMAWI’s report differed from most, it alleged one man dead, and one woman and a child

Summary

First published
June 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children0–1 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS960

LOCATION

حريتان, Baghdad street, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that alleged Russian airstrikes in Baghdad street in Hraitan outside of Aleppo killed three civilian men and wounded several more. According to Halab Today TV, “three civilians were martyred following the targeting of Baghdad street in the town of Hraitan in Aleppo”.  Radio al-kul added that the strikes left several wounded. LCCSY,

Summary

First published
June 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS992

LOCATION

زارع, Zara, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians died in an airstrike on a power station in Zara, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Ara News reported that “Russian warplane shelling with missiles and cluster bombs in Al-Zara and Harbnafsa killed a number of

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1024

LOCATION

الطيبة‎, Al Tiba (Al Taibah), Homs, Syria

Local media reported that five civilians died – a woman and her four children – in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Tiba village, Homs. Although there were only two sources reporting this incident on July 21st 2016, they are both credible. LCCSY reported “‪#‎Homs‬ a woman and her four children were martyred

Summary

First published
July 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman)
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

July 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1056

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that one child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Adadan, July 26th 2016. Thiqa News Agency released footage showing the use of cluster bombs in the raid. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. According to Anadan Media “Civil defense forces try to rescue the wounded due to Russian

Summary

First published
July 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1262 RS2366

LOCATION

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1490 RS2438

LOCATION

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike. According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
8
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1105

LOCATION

ملس, Malas, Idlib, Syria

Thirteen civilians, including three to five children and two women, were killed and up to 30 more were wounded is missile strikes on Malas town, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Reports said that two of the four to six strikes

Summary

First published
August 6, 2016
Last updated
October 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(3–5 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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
13 named
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1137

LOCATION

تفتناز, Taftanez, Idlib, Syria

Up to 11 civilians including one named women, and children, died and as many as 25 more were wounded in an airstrike on Taftanaz, local media reported. Reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. RFS media office and Halab Today TV were among sources that blamed

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
November 3, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 11
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1169

LOCATION

الغنطو, Ghantou, Homs, Syria

Ten named civilians including two children and two women died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Ghantou in Homs, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Assad regime, though some others attributed the event to Russia. Smo-syria, @syriapost1, @ALAMAWI and Halab Today said that Russia was responsible. Halab Today put the

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 22
(2 children2–4 women7 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
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, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1202

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

One child, named as 15-year-old child died and up to nine others were wounded in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. However, it was unclear who was responsible: most sources didn’t apportion blame – though others pointed to Russia and the Assad regime. According to @SyrianArwad, “Russian and Syrian warplanes launched air raids

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
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

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1234

LOCATION

باتبو, Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died and as many as 15 were wounded in an airstrike on an oil factory in Hazano, according to local media. While most sources attributed the event to Russia, two pointed towards the Syrian regime. Orient news and LCCSY put the death toll at three, with LCCSY adding that 15 civilians

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1267

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to HNN, “20 civilians were killed in Russian raids on Abu Kamal.” However, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “all news reporting a massacre in al Boukamal has been dismissed and is totally untrue.” USEmbassySyrau tweeted “ten raids by the coalition in Abu Kamal in Syria destroyed 29 targets of ISIS near Abu Kamal in

Summary

First published
September 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1299

LOCATION

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

Major strikes in Bustan al Qasr, Aleppo, on September 22nd which killed between five and 13 civilians, and wounded dozens more, were attributed to both regime forces and Russia aircraft by local media. Local sources identified five civilian victims, including two children. Many reports stated that barrel bombs and phosphorus were used in the attack,

Summary

First published
September 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(2–3 children2–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1331

LOCATION

ارض الحمرا, Ard Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and 25 civilians died and up to another 25 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Ard Hamra neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. HNN named two of the victims, and added that six others were unidentified. All4Syria reported the highest casualty count with 25 saying: “The largest number of victims

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 25
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1363

LOCATION

بلاط, Al Balat, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, possibly a woman and her child, were reported killed in an airstrike on the Al Balat neighbourhood in Aleppo. Most sources said that two people were killed. According to so_ria98, these were a mother and her child. Step News Agency reported: “The city of Aleppo today [Sept 29th] witnessed heavy shelling by Russian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1396

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in al Sakhour, Aleppo, according to local media. Most sources claimed that six or seven civilians were killed, among these hospital staff and civil defense workers. Syria News Desk provided details from the incident, reporting that “seven

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1429

LOCATION

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

In what local media described as a ‘massacre’, 52 civilians including up to 10 children and seven women died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Bustan al-Qasr  in Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. There were reports of bunker-busting missiles

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
52
(7–10 children7 women37 men)
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
Named victims
47 named, 9 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1461

LOCATION

Karam al Tarab, Aleppo, Syria

Two or more civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground, Only @Free_TV_SYRIA gave specific casualty figures of two killed – and blamed Russia. Other sources reported an unspecified number of deaths an injuries, mainly referring only

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1493

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died in a strike on farmland near Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Step News Agency, LCCSY, @Sy_Reporter and Shahba Press all blamed Russia – and put the number of civilians killed at

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1550

LOCATION

الجانودية, Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria

Between one to three civilians were killed and at least three others were injured in airstrikes launched against the town of Al Janoudia in western Jisr Al Shoughour. According to local sources, including Step News Agency and @SMARTNewsAgency, Russian warplanes were responsible for the series of airstrikes on the town. An image of the alleged

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
Last updated
December 19, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident