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 11, 2023

Incident Code

R4598

LOCATION

مرعيان, Marayan, Jabal al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, a civilian was injured by an artillery shelling allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military in the town of Marayan in Jabal al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib. According to @baladi Twitter/X user, the injured man was taken to a hospital nearby for treatment. Syria TV,

Summary

First published
October 11, 2023
Last updated
June 28, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Residential building
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 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS013

LOCATION

إحسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

Russian aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Ihsem in Idlib, killing five members of one family – four of whom were young girls. The victims were later named. The White Helmets civil defence force tried to reach the dead and injured, but were subjected to a ‘double tap’ strike which killed one of their rescuers

Summary

First published
October 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 11
(4 children1 woman2 men)
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
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS045

LOCATION

الفرحانية, Al Farhaniah, Homs, Syria

Three civilians were reported by al Jazeera as having been killed in a Russian strike on Al Farhaniah – part of a major wave of attacks that day. However footage of civilians transported to a local hospital described injuries from ‘artillery,’ with Homs News also reporting that regime shelling had targeted the town.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

October 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS078

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

According to the White Helmets in Aleppo, “Russian warplanes bomb the towns of Al Bab and Tadef yesterday evening with several raids using vacuum missiles – leaving several dead and dozens wounded and homes destroyed.” Other reports described two raids on Tadef and one on Al Bab. Radio Al Kul attributed the attacks to the

Summary

First published
October 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS111

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

One woman, Mrs Zahra Hajj Khamees, was reported killed and more than 20 people injured after an alleged Russian airstrike on the traders’ market in the town of Maarat al Numan. Video footage showed extreme damage to shops and houses in the vicinity. Most sources blamed Russia. However, the Damascus Centre and the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS146

LOCATION

خنيفيس, Khnefes, Homs, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and Al Qaryatayn, one adult male named was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khnefes near Palmyra. His Facebook martyr’s page noted: “We celebrate the life of the martyr Khaled Saleh Al Darweesh [Al Arabiya], Abou Sleiman, who died on Friday following the oppressive Russian planes raids on

Summary

First published
November 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS179

LOCATION

Idlib, Syria

According to multiple sources, at least seven non-combatants died, this including two children and two women, and some injured in alleged Russian airstrike in downtown Idlib city. Other sources accused the Syria regime air forces of the shelling in the city of Idlib. The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the seven victims.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Incident Code

RS211

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

At least 37 civilians, including four children, were reported killed – and more than 72 others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the market in the centre of Ariha, according to multiple reports. Amnesty International placed the death toll at 49 following an investigation. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian

Summary

First published
November 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
37 – 49
(4 children10–16 men)
Civilians reported injured
72
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
30 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS244

LOCATION

تلول الحمر, Tulul Al Humur, Hama, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tulul Al Humur. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

First published
December 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS276

LOCATION

حي المرجة, Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and seven civilians including one woman and one child were killed – and many injured – in airstrikes on the Al Murja neighbourhood in Aleppo – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes using cluster

Summary

First published
December 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1 woman4 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS309

LOCATION

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria

Seven or more civilians including two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ihress. Al Safira News reported “the death of two children and the injuring of more than 15 others, after more than 15 cars and trucks were bombed with cluster bombs which targeted a convoy of vehicles at a checkpoint

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 15
(2 children5 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS341

LOCATION

الشيخ مسكين‎, Sheikh Miskeen, Daraa, Syria

A woman and man were killed in Sheikh Miskeen according to local sources – though it is not clear whether regime air or ground forces, strikes by Russian warplanes, or both were responsible for the deaths. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights produced two reports on the incident. The first report said that Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
January 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS373

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 25 civilians including three children and one woman were killed and 40-41 injured in airstrikes on Manbij, according to multiple sources. While four of the sources say that Russian forces carried out the attacks, a fifth blames the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that 25 non-combatants were killed and “about 40

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 25
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
40–41
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

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS405

LOCATION

ام شقيف, Um Shkeef, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on the the village of Um Shkeef, according to two local sources. Alaan TV reported that dozens died and were wounded by alleged Russian strikes in east Aleppo, including three civilians in Um Shkeef, located on the road from Al Bab to Manbij. Halab News also put

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS437

LOCATION

منطقة الأماسي, Al Amassi (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria

Sixteen civilians including six to nine children and four women died in airstrikes on Al Amassi in Raqqa, according to local sources – though most reports blamed Russia, others did not identify who was responsible. RBSS initially referred only to “warplanes“, but in a later post alleged that Russia was responsible. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(6–9 children5 women2 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
14 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS471

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Ten to fourteen civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who said warplanes shelled several residential houses in Al Kourneesh street. The Shaam News Network also reported Russian raids targeting non-combatants’ homes in Al Bab, but did not provide casualty figures. VDC named soe victims incuding 2 unidentified

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 14
(4–5 children3–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
35
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

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS503

LOCATION

حتلا, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed and three injured when the village of Hatla was allegedly targeted by Russian warplanes, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of two adult males – Bassam Al Samran and Bassel Al Samran – in a Russian raid that targeted a sweet shop “near Hilwiyat Al Badr”.

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS539

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, three victims including a child died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan. Shaam News Network published a distressing video showing “the reaction of a mother who finds her son’s

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(0–1 children3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS572

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One woman, Fatima al-Yousef, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources. The victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Center, Damascus Center for Human Rights and Talbisah Media Center. According to Talbisah Media Center, “many” civilians were also injured and there was “huge” destruction to private property. It

Summary

First published
February 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS605

LOCATION

حلب, Castello-Kafr Hamra Road, Aleppo, Syria

Five non-combatants including three to four women died when a civilian car was targeted  on Castello-Kafr Hamra Road in Aleppo, according to local sources. All but one said this was an attack by the Assad regime – while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights does not specify who was responsible. The Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
February 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3–4 women)
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS637

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, three civilians including two children died in “airstrikes thought to be Russian” in Palmyra, Homs. Sinnnews reported that “four were wounded and a child had his leg amputated while a man was seriously injured in Russian attacks on Palmyra.” The Violations Documentation Center named one victim (a

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–2 children)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS669

LOCATION

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

One woman was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kahtan hospital, according to local sources. Euphrates Post reported: “A woman was killed due to Russian warplane raid in Kahtan hospital near Hasan Al-Taha street.” Three other sources also blamed Russia for carrying out a strike near the hospital, which they said killed one female.

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS712

LOCATION

فيخة, Fikha village, Aleppo, Syria

Three non-combatants including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fikha, according to local sources. Syriashuhada said three unidentified civilians died in a Russian strike. HNN also put the death toll at three, attributing the incident to Russia. According to Alamwai a child was among the three fatalities, though didn’t say who carried

Summary

First published
March 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS744

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named two civilians, Zahra Fihan, and her son Mohammad Abdullah al-Rashed, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa. The victims were also named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, which blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
March 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS776

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In a summary of Russian raids carried out on April 28th, LCCSY said three civilians had died in two strikes on Sakhour. RFS News also blamed Russia, reporting “a martyr and a number of wounded in Russian shelling by missiles on Al-Sakhur”. However, several other sources blamed the regime instead. According to the Syrian Network,

Summary

First published
April 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS809

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 13 civilians including four children were reported killed  – and 20-24 others were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al-Thar’ra bakery in Hraytan, according to local sources. Among the victims were personnel and customers of the bakery, including four children. The strike also hit several cars that were parked nearby,

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
July 5, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
20
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS842

LOCATION

الشيخ خضر, Sheikh Khudar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One or two civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Sheikh Khudar, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was repsonsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS874

LOCATION

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five civilians including two or three women and one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Muhassan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named two female victims and alleged “they were killed in Russian Raids”. Gulfeyes named two additional victims (though did not identify the warplanes responsible). Additionally, LCCSY reported on June 11th that

Summary

First published
June 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2–3 women1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS906

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and seven civilians including up to six children died in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, according to local reports, though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. @Almntaseballah and @samir_maleh reported Russian raids on the town but didn’t mention civilian casualties. @shoaamd tweeted that a mother and her four children were

Summary

First published
June 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1–6 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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS940

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Airstrikes killed up to two civilians including at least one child and wounded up to ten others in the city of Binish, local media said. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Most local sources reported the death of up to two children. According to The

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 children)
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
View Incident