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

June 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS938 RS2278

LOCATION

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as eight civilians, as well as six named which including medical personnel died, and others were wounded in an airstrike on Jadid Akeidat village, Deir Ez-Zour, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible for the attacks. Sources reported

Summary

First published
June 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS953

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported airstrikes targeted the Palestinian refugee camp Khan al-Sheikh, leading to the death of at least six civilians including one child and one woman. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the attacks. The highest death toll was given by Radar News, who reported eight

Summary

First published
June 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(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
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Incident Code

RS2876

LOCATION

الجديدة, Al-Jadida, east of Abu al Dhouhour, Idlib, Syria

Between four and eight civilians were reported killed and “dozens” were wounded in what has been described as a massacre by local media. Sources said that airstrikes struck the vicinity of Al-Jadida and it was contested as to who was to blame. Most reportage attributed blame to Russia, however, there are also allegations blaming the

Summary

First published
January 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(3–4 women)
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

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1140

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians died a several more were wounded in an airstrike on Atarbib, according to local media. While at least two sources blamed Russia, one pointed towards the regime, and many others didn’t identify the culprit. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, Radio Al Kul and Halab Today blamed Russia. According to

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(1–2 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2554

LOCATION

سهل الروجبلدة الحمو , Hamou town in al Roj plain in the Idlib western countryside, Idlib, Syria

Between three and eight civilians including women and children were killed and up to 15 other non-combatants wounded after an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the village of al Hamou on September 28th, according to local sources. Most sources reported seven or eight people killed, whereas the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(3–4 children3 women)
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
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS322

LOCATION

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Eight civilians including four children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a school in Jarjanaz, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that a Russian warplane launched four vacuum missiles on the gate of the Thee Qar school while students were leaving the premises to return to their homes. The Network said

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
24
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1898

LOCATION

أم المياذن , Um Almayathen, Daraa, Syria

Between five and eight civilians (five of whom were named) died and as many as dozens more wounded in an airstrike on Um Almayathen, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Rasd only reported wounded civilians, putting the number of

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children1 woman5 men)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS183

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria

At least five civilians, including two women and two children, were killed in alleged Russian evening airstrikes that targeted Khan Subul. Step TV later interviewed an eyewitness, an unnamed boy who notes: “A plane hit here and hit our neighbour’s home, so they were martyred. This is where it happened; it was Russian planes.” The

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children2 women1 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS312

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Eight civilians including three children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Violations Documentation Center. The White Helmets published a number of videos showing them attending the scene, fighting a fire and rescuing an injured person from under the rubble. One unidentified victim was also accounted for: Unidentified – adult,

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3 children4 men)
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
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS836

LOCATION

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

Between six and eight civilians died and 12 more were injured in an air or artillery strikes on the Al Kalassa neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network reported Russian raids with warplanes

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
Civilians reported injured
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

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1109

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

At least seven civilians including two women and two children were killed and up to 40 more wounded in alleged long-range ballistic missiles (Scud) strikes launched from battleships in the Mediterranean. But sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or Syrian regime.The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–40
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

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1271

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died in air or artillery strikes on Hraitan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Only one source – LCCSY – explicitly said that Russia was responsible, reporting that “12 people were killed in Aleppo, most of them in Russian

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(1 child)
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS2934

LOCATION

سنقرة, Sanqara, Idlib, Syria

As many as eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in airstrikes which hit residential housing in Sanqara, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Images show what can only be described as a massacre, with the

Summary

First published
January 22, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1–2 children2 women3 men)
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS686

LOCATION

السلوم, Al Saloom, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that eight civilians from a single family – including three children and two women – died when Russian warplanes allegedly shelled residential homes in Al Saloom. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “six people were killed in warplane shelling in Al-Saloom village – five were from one

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(3 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–15
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1412

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and eight civilians including a woman died and dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Bustan Al-Basha, Aleppo, according to local media. The Syrian Organization for the Defense of Human Rights reported that “eight martyrs so far and dozens wounded in Bustan Al-Basha  due to warplanes shelling. The

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(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

February 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3571

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Taman’a or Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Russian airstrike targeted the town of Al Taman’a west of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern Idlib countryside. The airstrike was one of three airstrikes with high-explosive missiles launched by a Russian aircraft, according to Ziad al-Aboud, commander of the “civil defense sector” in Khan Sheikhoun  It is not clear whether there were civilian casualties as a

Summary

First published
January 4, 2019
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

May 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS2240

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

An entire family of displaced peoples from Palmyra were killed – and an unspecific number of civilians were wounded – following an airstrike on Akeirbat, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.  Initially reporting suggested than an unspecific amount of civilians had been killed, however, on May 22nd three sources put

Summary

First published
May 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS3515

LOCATION

أم المياذن, Um Al Mayadhen, Daraa, Syria

Up to ten civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Um Al Mayadhen on July 5th, 2018, according to sources on the ground. @Step_Agency reported that “eight people, including a member of the Civil Defense, were killed as a result of the aerial bombardment targeting the town of Um Al Mayadhen, east of

Summary

First published
July 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 10
(8–9 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS205

LOCATION

بانص, Banis, Aleppo, Syria

Seven to eight civilians were reported killed, including two women and four children, and at least people 20 injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Bansh, according to the Shaam News Network and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Shaam posted a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged attack, stating that

Summary

First published
November 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(4 children2 women1 man)
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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS377

LOCATION

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria

Eight civilians were killed and a number of others wounded in Harbnafsa, according to the Shaam News Network, which blamed Russian warplanes. However Orient TV, Zaman al Wasl and Step News said that regime artillery was responsible for the deaths.  

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS601

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians including two to four children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that three non-combatants including two children died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Al Bab city in Aleppo. Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies also

Summary

First published
February 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2–4 children0–3 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS3048

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria

Up to eight civilians, including at least two women, were killed along with several wounded as airstrikes and artillery shelling continued in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, this time in Zamalaka, local media reported who blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Masrawy News reported how many parts of eastern Ghouta, including Zamalaka, continuously were under “air,

Summary

First published
February 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(2 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
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1163

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians including one child died in a casualty event in the Al Slaheen neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. According to Syria News Desk: “seven civilians were killed and five wounded in the Al Salheen neighbourhood

Summary

First published
August 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS216

LOCATION

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qarayatain, according to reports.        

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 women6 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
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3039

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria

At least one and as many as eight civilians were killed and several were left wounded  as the town of Zamalaka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial shelling local media reported, who, however, were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime – or both. As several sources reported, large parts of eastern

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1402

LOCATION

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the city of al Zirba, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources said that the strikes only caused damage and no civilian harm. For example, the Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes shelled in Zirba in the southern western countryside of Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
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

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1742

LOCATION

الغنطو , Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

In what was widely reported as a regime shelling, between five and eight civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in Al Ghantu. According to LCCSY, “five civilians were martyred and dozens injured in the bombing by Assad’s forces, using rockets and heavy artillery shells, on the town of Al-Ghantu the northern

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(4 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3002

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes carried out airstrikes in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, killing between four and eight civilians, including one woman and one child, as well as wounding several others, local media reported. Reports mentioned heavy shelling in several parts of eastern Ghouta around February 8th, 2018, including the shelling of Douma. The

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2019

Incident Code

RS4039

LOCATION

دير شرقي, Dier Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Seven to eight civilians, including four to eight children and as many as two women, were reported killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Dier Sharqi, Idlib, on August 17th. A number of sources stated that all casualties were from the same family, and included only women and children. A tweet by @zamanalwsl

Summary

First published
August 17, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(5–8 children1–2 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1728

LOCATION

حي الانصاري, Al Ansari neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

AleppoAMC reported that eight civilians died from “air and artillery shelling” in Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood, though it didn’t specify the culprit. According to @friend_sy “helicopters targeted the vicinity of Zarzur hospital in Al-Ansari district in Aleppo, the only hospital remaining in the besieged neighborhoods of Aleppo, and destroyed an ambulance”. A number of other sources

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
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