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 29, 2019

Incident Code

RS3734

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

At least seven civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Sarja, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. At least 10 others were reported injured. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCiviDefe) wrote on Twitter that “seven civilians, including five women and a child, were

Summary

First published
May 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(1 child3–5 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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
14 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1261

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians including three children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes in Aleppo’s Al Salheen, neighbourhood according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Smart News Agency, Umayya and Step News Agency were among sources blaming

Summary

First published
September 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1716

LOCATION

الغنطو , Al Ghinto, Homs, Syria

In what was widely reported as a regime attack, at least four civilians – including a child and three women – died and as many as dozens more (including children) were wounded in a shelling at Al Ghinto in Homs. While most of the allegations were against Assad rockets, there was also a report that Russia

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(1 child3 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1403

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين, Rif al Muhandisin, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died and as many as 57 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Rif Al Muhandisin in the Western countryside of Aleppo, according to local media. Qasioun News reported “Russian warplanes committed a massacre in Rif Al Muhandisin in the western countryside of Aleppo, killing six civilians

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–57
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS046

LOCATION

الدار الكبيره, Dar Al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dar Al Kabira in Homs. According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2459

LOCATION

البوليل, Albouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five to eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Albouleil, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime raids for the casualties. A river bank in Albouleil was reportedly struck. Between one and five children were included in the death toll. An unidentified body was also discovered. There are

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(1–5 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1316

LOCATION

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A Russian aircraft struck a White Helmets building in Aleppo’s al Ansari neighbourhood, killing eight people, according to local sources. The strike reportedly occurred in conjunction with other strikes on White Helmets buildings in Alhaidariya and Hanano, Alsouria News said. The White Helmets posted a YouTube video showing the extent of the destruction. A large

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
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

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS283

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Eight people were reported killed and 40 wounded in three alleged Russian night time airstrikes on Al Bab according to multiple sources. Though the ISIL-lnked news agency Al A’maq claimed the deaths were “as a result of the Russian strikes” VDC blamed the fatalities on “the regime air forces’ shelling with explosive barrels on a

Summary

First published
December 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child2 women6 men)
Civilians reported injured
40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS443

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Up to eight civilians including one child were killed and 12 others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sarmada, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human rights said that eight people (including a child and three people from the Palmyra area, a commander of a checkpoint belonging to a rebel faction and other fighters) were

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(1 child4 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS924

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between five and eight civilians including one child and up to four women died – and many more were wounded – in airstrikes on Tareeq al Bab, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Many local sources reported that between four and

Summary

First published
June 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(1 child3–4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

September 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1359

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between four and eight civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. LCCSY reported that the neighbourhood was struck with phosphorus bombs, resulting in the death of “four or more people”. Annahar gave the highest death toll of six civilians. Most

Summary

First published
September 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1392

LOCATION

الهلّك, al Hallak, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians including a child and a woman died in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo al Hallak neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Al Jazeera reported that three civilians died in a strike by regime warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who blamed Russia, put the number

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS068

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A wave of night time airstrikes hit a number of civilian objects in the city according to reports, killing seven to eight non-combatants. At least 11 and as many as 40 Daesh militants were also reported killed. According to the Syrian Observatory, “13 airstrikes targeted places near the Emergency Branch, the Hospitality Palace, Hawd al-Forat

Summary

First published
October 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
50
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

December 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1731

LOCATION

حي الشعار , Al Shia’ar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians died and a dozen or more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Shia’ar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Arab24, “the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that three people were killed and about 12 others were injured on Saturday [Dec 3rd] by the bombing

Summary

First published
December 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS689

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Eight civilians including one woman and three children died in Darat Izza, according to local sources. While most reports blame Russia, one alleges that the Assad regime was responsible. According to Al Jazeera, Russian shelling targeted a bakery. But LCCSY reported that the incident was carried out by the regime which shelled with rocket launchers.

Summary

First published
February 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3 children1 woman4 men)
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
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS850

LOCATION

حي كرم الجبل, Karam al Jabal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between five and eight civilians died including a child and two women in an airstrike on Karam al Jabal, according to local sources. Only LCCSY blamed Russia, putting the death toll at seven. A report by the Shaam News Network referred to “warplanes” and then “Assad regime raids”. According to the Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
June 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(1 child2 women)
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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3162

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Up to eight civilians killed and as many as 32 others were wounded in airstrikes on Hamouriya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The Violations Documentation Centre reported that seven unidentified civilians were killed. There were as many as four raids. There was an intensive “aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 8
Civilians reported injured
32
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 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3934

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Nine civilians, including four children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes that struck a local market and school in Saraqib in the afternoon of July 22nd, as reported by local sources. Up to 16 others were injured. According to @ShahbaPress, four civilians including a woman were killed and 16 were wounded, while Step

Summary

First published
July 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(4 children1 woman4 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–24
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1155

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between six and eight civilians died and 16 more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency said that the strike occurred “near a footbridge”. Shahed-aya, Step, Sama, Syrian-reporters and @syrianArwad all put the death toll at six –

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
Civilians reported injured
16
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1231

LOCATION

معردبسي, Meir Debsie, Idlib, Syria

Eight civilians including three children died and up to 20 others were wounded in shelling of Maer Debsie. Most sources attributed the event to the Syrian regime, though one blamed Russia. According to Zaman Alwasl, six died when the regime shelled “civilians’ residential houses from the side of motorway”. Enab Baladi, also blaming the regime,

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3 children4 men)
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
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2019a

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Up to eight civilians, including two children and two women, were killed and as many as 20 more were wounded in strikes allegedly carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia in Khan Shakhoun, Idlib, local media reported. Two airstrikes reportedly struck al-Shamali neighbourhood in Khan Shakhoun, killing up to eight civilians, including a family

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children2 women3–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS037

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1720

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media named six people killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike in Kafr Zita – though most sources said that the victims were fighters. According to several reports. The Step News Agency reported that “Russian fighter jets renewed their bombardment of areas of Hama north Tuesday evening 29th of November

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–8 men)
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS733

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Between seven and eight civilians including three children and one or two women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sukhna, according to local sources. Shaam News reported that eight civilians including were killed and more than 10 others injured on alleged Russian raids on Sukhna. SNN added: “The co-ordinating city of Palmyra said that in

Summary

First published
March 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(3 children1–2 women)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS102

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Between seven and eight civilians including three children were killed in what were reported by most as four Russian airstrikes on the town of Maarat al Numan. However a local activist group and the Homs Meda Network attributed the attack to the Assad regime. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(3 children4 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

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1502

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Between six and eight civilians including a child and two women died and as many as dozens more were wounded in multiple airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The lowest death count was given as one by Halab Today

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
December 21, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(1 child1 woman)
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1636

LOCATION

قاضي عسكر, Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians, including two children and two women, were reportedly killed and more than 20 were wounded due to alleged Russian or joint Russian-Syrian regime shelling of Qadi Askar, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most sources reported that eight civilians were killed by the airstrikes, while just one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1763

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Up to eight civilians were killed and 15 injured in multiple airstrikes on Kafr Sajna, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Step News, who put the death toll at four with a “number” of injuries, reported that “warplanes launched four airstrikes with surface rockets

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 27, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(2 men)
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
Named victims
2 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS081

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Eight named civilians were killed and a number injured in a reported Russian night-time airstrike at Hraytan, near Aleppo. The White Helmets – whose teams worked through the night to retrieve the dead and injured, reported: “Civil Defence team pulls out seven martyrs and several injured following Russian bombardement with vacuum missiles.“ Hraytan City, an

Summary

First published
October 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child7 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
Unknown
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Incident Code

RS2875

LOCATION

ابو الظهور, Abu Al-zuhur, Idlib, Syria

As many as eight civilians were killed – including four from one family – as well as others wounded in airstrikes which hit Abu Al-zuhur. Sources mostly blamed Russian warplanes, however one source did blame the Syrian regime. Additionally, local media reported that “explosive barrels” were used, a weapon known to be used by the

Summary

First published
January 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(1 child3 women)
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