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 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1645 RS2645

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Al Masriya roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between eight and nine civilians died in an airstrike on the al Masriya roundabout in Abu Kamal, according to local media – though sources at the time were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia was responsible. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted:

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1557

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Between four and nine civilians were killed, including up to four children and two women, and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the airstrikes, with some attributing the blame to Russia, others to the Syrian regime,

Summary

First published
November 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(3–4 children1–2 women)
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS250

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Up to nine civilians were killed, including six children, and 14 more people wounded including a woman, in airstrikes and ground assaults on Al Nashabiya. According to Shaam News the civilian deaths were a result of “violent attacks” by Russian warplanes and Assad’s forces. Activists published images showing the bodies of children who had “been broken in pieces by

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(5–6 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
14
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 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1197

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Nine civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes on fuel markets in Maarat al Naasan, according to local media. According to Zaitonmag, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on residential neighborhoods in the town of Maarat Al-Nassan. Four raids, phosphorous bombs and cluster munitions targeted fuel markets in the

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
December 6, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1488

LOCATION

بابولين, Babouleen, Idlib, Syria

Between two and nine civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Babouleen, according to local media. Most sources reported that the warplane struck a civilian car with heavy machine guns. The majority of sources pointed towards the Syrian regime, though Russian actions were also reported, meaning that its involvement

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 9
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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

April 23, 2019

Incident Code

RS3620

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, Syria

Shelling on residential neighbourhoods in Khan Sheikhoun killed nine named civilians and wounded as many as dozens more on April 23rd, 2019, local media reported. Up to 64 rocket and artillery shells were used in the raid, according to the Syrian Civil Defense. While @abuhuzaifa_ reported an initial toll of five civilian fatalities but in

Summary

First published
April 23, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3–5 children2 women)
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
19 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS805

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

It was reported that nine female farmers died when remains of cluster bombs allegedly fired by Russia exploded. Al Jisr TV also reported this information, but said this occurred in Kafr Hamra – which is possibly a mistake. Because of near-identical copy by all media, this is presently classed as a weakly reported incident.  

Summary

First published
May 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(9 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS1922

LOCATION

الحميرات, Al-Hmeirat, Hama, Syria

Sources reported that eight people from one family were killed and dozens more were wounded when an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime raid struck their home in Al-Hmeirat. Most sources blamed Russia, though some also pointed to the Syrian regime. Members of the Civil Defence spent time pulling bodies and injured civilians out of the rubble.

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(6 children1 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
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS528

LOCATION

برج قاعي, Burj Kai, Homs, Syria

Between seven and nine victims, including up four women and up to four children were killed – and several others injured – and several injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Burj Kai according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network initially reported that three Russian warplanes launched rocket attacks on several villages in the countryside of

Summary

First published
February 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(2–4 children4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS089

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra. There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his

Summary

First published
October 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1 child8 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2990

LOCATION

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

At least three and as many as nine civilians were killed and one child was wounded, following aerial and possible missile shelling of Hazza, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, according to local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. According to local reports, the incident in Hazza was

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
Civilians reported injured
1
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 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1485 RS2443

LOCATION

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and nine civilians died including three children and one woman and up to 17 others were wounded in airstrikes on the al Qasr area of Bokros Tahtani, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Step News Agency and

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(3 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
17
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1101

LOCATION

مديرة, Madira, Damascus, Syria

An entire family was killed in an alleged “rocket attack” in the town of Madira in an aerial bombardment according to local media. Sources reported that cluster bombs and rockets were used in the airstrike. All sources reported that Russian aircraft was to blame for this incident. These included Al Jazeera, Jisrtv, Halab Today and

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
36
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1165

LOCATION

الصالحية, Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to nine civilians including children and a woman died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Salihiya at the northern entrance to the city of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Three sources – @ِALAMAWI, @ShahbaPress, LCCSY – said that six victims from one family had died.

Summary

First published
August 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(1–3 children)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS3177

LOCATION

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Between six and nine civilians including three children were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in airstrikes on Jisreen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Most sources attributed the blame to the Syrian regime; however, the Violations Documentation Centre, who named six fatalities, blamed “Syrian government and

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(3 children3 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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS968

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Heavy and “barbaric” shelling killed six named civilians including two children and injured between 10 and 25 civilians in Ar-Rastan, Homs, according to local media. The majority of the injured were – according to Baladi News and Sna Agency – mostly women and children. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of

Summary

First published
July 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(2–5 children1 woman3 men)
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1032

LOCATION

غوطة دمشق, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Eastern Ghouta was bombarded with raids on July 23rd damaging many small residential towns within the district and killing between two and nine civilians, according to sources on the ground. Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News reported that the Assad regime struck the area with jets and warplanes. Shaam News Network, however,

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 9
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

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1144

LOCATION

الصناعة, Hai al Sinaa, Idlib, Syria

Between six and nine civilians died and up to 20 more were injured in an airstrike on Hai al-Sinaa, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Radio Al Kul was one of several sources attributing the event to Russia. It put the death toll at

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
November 3, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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

January 18, 2017

Incident Code

TS054 RS1847a

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Halab News, reported eight of the nine civilians in “Russian enemy raids” in Tadef, Syria. It also named the victims. According to Al Jazeera, “The Russian and Turkish air forces, for the first time, carried out a joint operation against militants of the Islamic State Organization in Bab in countryside of, Aleppo,

Summary

First published
January 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS026

LOCATION

بابيلا, Babilla, Hama, Syria

A father and his three children were among those reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Babilla, along with four other children, three of whom were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Eyewitness Moustafa Ghareeb told the Syrian Network: “The Russian shelling occurred 7 kilometres away from Marat Al Nu’man, at Babilla

Summary

First published
October 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(4–7 children1 man)
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

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS540

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Nine civilians including five children were killed in airstrikes on Anadan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible, and there is some question as to exactly when certain victims died. The Shaam News Network reported that three children from one family were killed

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(5 children4 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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS829

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Seven non-combatants from the same family died in an airstrike on Banis, according to local sources  – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. LCCSY said that a family of seven died in a strike by Russian warplanes using cluster bombs. Iraq gate also put the death toll

Summary

First published
June 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1134

LOCATION

تلعادة, Tal Adeh, Idlib, Syria

Between five and nine civilians were killed, including children, and between 10 and 15 more were injured from two air raids that targeted the town of Tal Adeh in the Idlib countryside. Baladi News published a video depicting volunteers searching the rubble for survivors of the airstrikes. Local sources were conflicted as to who was

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
November 3, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
Civilians reported injured
10–15
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS391

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria

Eight to nine civilians including one to two women and two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr al Asafeer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the White Helmets. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that eight non-combatants including one woman and two children were killed and others injured when “warplanes believed

Summary

First published
January 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(2 children1–2 women5 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
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS583

LOCATION

جبل الزاوية (ابلين), Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Between five and nine civilians including one child died and at least 15 more were injured in an airstrike on Jabal al Zawiya, according to local sources. While most alleged this was the work of Russia, one said the regime was responsible. Al Souria said that Russia was responsible, putting the death toll at six

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(1 child1 woman0–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1371

LOCATION

كقر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Between eight and nine civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Kafr Batna in Eastern Ghouta. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three including one woman with “others” wounded. According to Enabbaladi, “nine people, including seven children, were killed as a result of the targeting

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(4–7 children1 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
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1602

LOCATION

ارض الحمرا, Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Eight or nine civilians died and up to dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, according to multiple local sources. While some sources blamed Russia, others accused the regime of dropping barrels of chlorine gas from helicopters. Ara News put the death toll at nine

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1533

LOCATION

الحمورية, Hamouriya , Damascus, Syria

Between six and nine civilians, including up to four women and up to five children, were killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes in Houmouriya town, Damascus, according to sources on the ground. The numbers of civilians reported wounded varied from 18 to 24. LCCSY reported that “dozens of civilians were injured as the

Summary

First published
November 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(3–5 children1–4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
18–24
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 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

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2485

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between three and nine civilians, including one to four women and one to four children, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian ore regime airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. The civilians that were killed were from the same family, with Smart News Agency reporting that they were a mother,

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1–4 children1–4 women1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident