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

July 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1234 RS2351

LOCATION

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria

As many as 12 civilians died and dozens were injured in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Ma’adan, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia or event the Syrian regime were responsible. Baladi blamed artillery for the injury of “a number of civilians”, however, other sources –

Summary

First published
July 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1482 RS2440

LOCATION

طابية شامية, Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that five people were killed following airstrikes on Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Three of those who died were named in two separate reports from Euphrates Post. Sources said the location of the incident was the “water crossing” at Tabiyeh Shamieh. According to the Syrian Observatory some civilians were “permanently disabled” following

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women2 men)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1098

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In what has been described by reporters as a “massacre”, no less than 11 civilians, including seven children and one woman, died following an aerial bombardment on the residential neighbourhood al Marja. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights however, noted that the numbers were most likely to rise due to the nature of the injures.

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(7 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
13–24
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
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1130

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Two male children were killed and several more wounded, including women and children, from airstrikes targeting the town of Dara Azza. Local sources, including Halab Today and @AleppoNN, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes. However, DMC published footage showing “the moment explosive barrels” – a weapon known to be used by the Assad

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1162

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Fifteen named civilians were among those killed in multiple airstrikes on Idlib, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible – though the event was referred to as a “horrific massacre” in several reports. Dozens more civilians were said to have been wounded. A popular market, “the

Summary

First published
August 17, 2016
Last updated
January 3, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 28
(5 children)
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
15 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1195

LOCATION

صلخ, Salakh, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians including a child died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Taftanaz, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights’ attributed the event to “government warplanes and its allies”. Alsharq also blamed the regime. @SyrianArwad , @SyrianFnn, @ShahbaPress, @EdlibEMC

Summary

First published
August 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1227

LOCATION

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria

Two civilians were killed and others wounded an alleged Russia airstrike on Ghirnata village, according to local media. Nabd Syria and LCCSY blamed Russian airstrikes for the death of two non-combatants. Other sources mentioned artillery and air strikes in the area but didn’t say who carried them out. However, Homs Media Center reported regime actions

Summary

First published
September 5, 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

September 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1259

LOCATION

الحامدية, Al Hamdiya, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hamdiya village, sources on the ground reported. According to Shahba, “Many civilians were wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Al-Hamediya village in southern Idlib”. Step News added that “Russian planes targeted the edges of al Hamdiya village south of Maarat al

Summary

First published
September 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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

September 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1292

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A young girl named Qamar was killed by alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes in the al Ferdos neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local media. Sources also reported further civilians trapped under the rubble. Qasioun and Halab news blamed Russia, but most others were silent on the identity of those responsible. @Shahed_alep tweeted, “warplanes aimed

Summary

First published
September 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1324

LOCATION

بشقاتين, Bishqatin, Aleppo, Syria

At least sixteen civilians from two families were killed, and “dozens” more wounded in airstrikes on the village of Bishqatin, located in the countryside west of Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though one report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights mentioned Syrian regime involvement. Jaafr M Deen 01Halab

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 21
(11 children2–3 women3 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
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1356

LOCATION

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

LCCSY reported four dead civilians as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo. It added that “some people were wounded.” Currently there is no more information available.

Summary

First published
September 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1389

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Sheikh Faress neighbourhood, according to local media. Information was sparse but al-Hayat reported that “according to the Syrian Observatory, two children were killed in Sheikh Fares due to warplanes shelling” while Halab News Network reported that the

Summary

First published
October 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children)
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1422

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported that an alleged Russian airstrike on the suburb Douma in Damascus wounded several civilians, though there were no claims of fatalities. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes raids in both eastern and western Ghouta caused fires but no reports of civilian casualties. Activists said there were two raids in the

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1454

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and up to 12 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local sources. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck. The majority of sources attributed the deaths to Russia, though one report also said that the regime had carried out strike on Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1486

LOCATION

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven people from the same family including between two and five children and up to two died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’ar Shmareen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The lowest death

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2–5 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1529

LOCATION

بابتو, Babto, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike on a grain storage center and a mill in the village of Babbto in the countryside of western Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Images posted by Thiqa News and a video posted by AlBouAzezi show the damage to the grain storage structure that ultimately led to

Summary

First published
November 5, 2016
Last updated
December 19, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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
Village
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1789

LOCATION

كفر يحمول, Kafr Yahmoul, Idlib, Syria

As many as two civilians were killed, and three others were wounded, in an airstrike which struck Kafr Yahmoul, Idlib, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged raid, with some others not attributing any blame for the airstrikes, and simply reporting on warplane bombing.  According to some sources, the victim was

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 woman)
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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

June 30, 2019

Incident Code

CS1921

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين الأول, Rif Al Mouhandessen Al Awal, Aleppo, Syria

A confirmed Coalition strike with high-explosive missiles against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on the afternoon of June 30th is also locally reported to have injured at least two children and two women, and killed a number of foreign AQ-linked fighters. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the strike was carried

Summary

First published
June 30, 2019
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 11
Civilians reported injured
4–7
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Suspected target
Al Qaeda/HTS
Belligerents reported killed
3–9
Belligerents reported injured
8–14
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2020

Incident Code

RS4523

LOCATION

عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the vicinity of Arab Sa’id village, west of Idlib on September 20th, 2020 at noon according to local sources and news agencies. Edlib Media center said that according to the civil defense one civilian was injured after “eight Russian su34 and su35

Summary

First published
September 20, 2020
Last updated
March 2, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

July 8, 2022

Incident Code

R4449

LOCATION

بليون, Balion, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian, a young man, was injured in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling of the village of Balion on July 8, 2022. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, a young man was wounded in artillery shelling of the village of Balion by the regime and Russian forces. Civil Defense volunteers took the injured man to

Summary

First published
July 8, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2022

Incident Code

R4480

LOCATION

شنان, Shnan, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian, including a child and/or woman, was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of the village of Shnan on October 24, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a woman was injured by Syrian regime and Russian shelling of the village of Shnan with tank shells. The Syrian Civil Defense added that

Summary

First published
October 24, 2022
Last updated
November 1, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 12, 2023

Incident Code

R4517

LOCATION

افس, Afes, Idlib, Syria

On Monday June 12th 2023, an alleged missile strike by Assad regime forces and Russia hit the village of Afes in the eastern countryside of Idlib, injuring between one and three civilians, including two children. Sources including @SyriaCivilDefe and @hadikhraat twitter accounts, and Zaman Al Wasl reported three civilians being hit by shrapnel, including a

Summary

First published
June 12, 2023
Last updated
June 26, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2023

Incident Code

R4548

LOCATION

المحسنلي, Al-Mohsenli, countryside of Manbij, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

During the morning of Friday, September 1, 2023, an artillery shelling and/or airstrikes with contested responsibility allegedly carried out by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces and/or the Syrian Democratic forces and/or Turkish military on the village of al-Mohsenli in the countryside of Manbij, Aleppo, killed the entire family consisting of six civilians, including

Summary

First published
September 1, 2023
Last updated
September 27, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3–5 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–8
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, Syrian Democratic Forces, Turkish Military
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Incident Code

R4588

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Shortly before 3:37 AM on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, a civilian man was killed and a number of civilians were reportedly injured due to an artillery strike with the contested responsibility – allededly perpetrated by the Syrian regime and/or Russian or Iranian military in the city of Al Atareb in the western countryside of Aleppo,

Summary

First published
October 7, 2023
Last updated
May 6, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2024

Incident Code

R4669

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Shortly before 8:26 PM on Sunday, April 14th, 2024, three civilians were reportedly injured by an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime and/or Iranian artillery strike that struck residential areas in the city of Sarmin, to the east of Idlib, Syria. The majority of sources reported that the injured civilians were children. The names of those

Summary

First published
April 14, 2024
Last updated
October 8, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
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, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2015

Incident Code

RS016

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Russian aircraft returned to the attack at Jisr al Shughour, with the Kremlin carrying out strikes which it said targeted ‘uninhabited‘ militant storage depots, an all-terrain vehicle workshop, and a base. There were some reports that Syrian aircraft also participated in the attacks. According to the Syrian Network at least one of the strikes hit

Summary

First published
October 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS048

LOCATION

الحاضر, Al Hader Hospital, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes hit the Al Hader hospital in southern Aleppo governorate on two consecutive days, “which led to the fall of victims, including members of the medical staff,” according to Eldorar. The Violations Documentation Center later named 20-day old baby as a victim of the strike.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
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

November 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS114

LOCATION

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

Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr. Several houses were also reportedly destroyed. VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike. Additionally, the Violations Documentation

Summary

First published
November 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3–4 children1 woman6 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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS149

LOCATION

باريشا, Barisha, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Barisa and the Abo Al Dohor area and reported losses, but did not provide any details. No further information is available at the present time.

Summary

First published
November 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident