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

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS627

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including up to five children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially attributed the incident to the Assad regime by posting an image of a child whom they said was wounded when regime warplanes fired on the neighborhood. However, it then

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3–5 children1 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

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1125

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Between five and six civilians – four from the same family – were killed and at least two others were wounded by more than two airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether the planes belonged to Russia or the regime. Most of those injured were reportedly

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1351

LOCATION

صلاح الدين, Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians were reported killed and 20 more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Salahudin in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “four civilians (three children and their mother) died when alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Salahudin neighborhood in Aleppo city.” Thiqanewsagency and Almawi, among others, reported a lower

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3 children1 woman)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1783

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Damascus, Syria

Up to six civilians, including two children, were killed and as many as 24 more were wounded following air or artillery or mortar strikes targeting Douma, Damascus, local sources reported. Sources, however, were unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strikes. Sources reported the death of between one and six

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20–24
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS028

LOCATION

بليون, Belyon, Idlib, Syria

Six people were reported killed at Belyon due to warplane shelling. VDC named one woman as a victim of the strike. Smart News later posted a video showing a civilian clear-up operation in the village. One witness noted: “Here there were six martyrs, two from the village of Balian and four displaced from Sahil Al

Summary

First published
October 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children2 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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS221

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Six non-combatants including two children were reported killed, and more than 15 injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Shaam News Network which reported that the alleged raid led to the destruction of residential buildings and the homes of civilians. All six victims have been named.  

Summary

First published
December 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children)
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3910

LOCATION

حنتوتبين, Hantoutin, Idlib, Syria

@Step_Agency claimed that Russian forces carried out airstrikes on Jisr al-Shughour, Ma’rshurin, Hantoutin, Deir Sennbel, Heesh, Sahiyan and Tabish in rural Idlib, killing six civilians and injuring dozens across these locations. Other sources claimed the Syrian regime warplanes struck these areas with 60 raids without indicating number of casualties. No other details are known at

Summary

First published
July 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
Civilians reported injured
1–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS928

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including three to four children were killed in Aleppo, according to multiple local sources. Aljazeera reported that a combined operation of the Regime forces and Russian fighter jets resulted in the loss of civilian life. The highest death toll, placed at six, was initially reported by Baladi, who alleged one child

Summary

First published
June 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–4 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3241

LOCATION

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Damascus, Syria

Between three to six civilians including up to four children were reportedly killed and as many as 25 more wounded in airstrikes on a kindergarten in Taftanaz, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Idlib Plus put the death toll at three civilians, including a

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–4 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–25
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1265

LOCATION

Al Sakhina, Homs, Syria

Six civilians including women and children died in an alleged Russia airstrike on a refugee camp in the al Sakhuna area, south of Palymyra, local media reported. According to the Step News Agency, “Russia’s military aircraft committed a new massacre against people in a camp for the displaced from the towns of Palmyra and al

Summary

First published
September 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children2 women)
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 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1395

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes killed six civilians from one family in Aleppo’s Bustan al Basha neighbourhood. Only one child from the family was said to have survived the attack. Al-Jazeera published a video, showing how the surviving child, named Shihab, was rescued from the rubble while the rest of his

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1–4 children)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2083

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles.  One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS007

LOCATION

بليون‎, Belyon, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Belyon, near Jabal al Zawiyah in southern Idlib, reportedly killed four civilians including a woman and child. ‘Several others’ were said to have been injured in the attack, some seriously. SN4HR placed the civilian slightly higher at six deaths, noting that “the town is under the control of

Summary

First published
October 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1 child1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS167 CS147

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and others, six civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of the Aisha hospital in Al Bukamal. According to Deir Ezzor 24, eight rockets or missiles were launched on the town. However, the Syrian Observatory has attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2491

LOCATION

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that between two and six civilians – an entire family, according to one source – died in alleged Russian or regime strikes on al Tamana’a. Sources blamed both Russian airstrikes or missiles fired from Russian battleships. Some other sources also pointed to regime warplanes. HNN reported that there had been “martyrs and

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–4 children1 woman1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3075

LOCATION

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Up to six civilians, including up to four children and one woman, were killed and dozens were left wounded as Ain Tarma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by Syrian Regime and/or Russian-waged warplanes, local media reported. As the intense shelling of several parts of eastern Ghouta continued, Ain Tarma was also struck, resulting in great

Summary

First published
July 19, 2019
Last updated
June 20, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2019

Incident Code

RS3956

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Up to nine civilians were reported killed and other injured, some seriously, by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Tahtaya in Idlib on July 25th, 2019. According to @syrian191124, vacuum missiles were used in the attack. Khaled Mahmoud Al-Hudayri, an adult male, was named as one of the victims by

Summary

First published
July 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(1 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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1212

LOCATION

طياني, Al Tayanneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five or six civilians including up to four children and three women died and at least a dozen more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Tayaneh, according to local media. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, though two blamed the Syrian regime and others didn’t apportion blame. DeirEzzorradio, Abdulrahmanhajj and Derynews blamed

Summary

First published
September 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3–4 children2–3 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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3723

LOCATION

حزارين, Hezarin, Idlib, Syria

Two to seven civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Hezarin, Idlib, May 27th. Shahba News initially claimed that three were killed in the strikes from the same family, including one child, later reporting six deaths and “dozens wounded”. Edlib Media Center initially reported two killed, yet also stated that the figure rose to six

Summary

First published
May 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1–3 children2 women)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2846

LOCATION

عربين , Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported: “The Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus said six civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed and others injured, as a result of Russian raids overnight on residential neighborhoods in the city of Arbeen.”. The Step News Agency also put the death toll at

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 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
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1094

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

Six named civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Al Mansoura in the western suburbs of Aleppo, local sources said. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, on “Wednesday evening 3 August 2016, alleged Russian warplanes carried out two airstrikes on the residential homes located in the northwestern areas of Al Mansoura

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children2 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, Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3726

LOCATION

احسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

At least three children of the same family were killed and several civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The death toll was later updated to six civilians. Many sources reported that three children were killed from the same family in the

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS351

LOCATION

سفلانية, Suflaniyah, Aleppo, Syria

Six non-combatants – three named women and three children – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on the village of al Saflaneh in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies additionally named Sweilem Ahmed, a child, as also having died from “the

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children3 women)
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS543

LOCATION

Al Shi'aar, Aleppo, Syria

According to the Shaam News Network, six non-combatants died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Shi’aar. SNN reported: “More than 36 martyrs fell and dozens wounded Thursday in the bombing of the Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo. “Martyrs fell in several areas: 11 people were killed at the Al Mashhad neighbourhood and 8

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3910

LOCATION

ديرسنبل, Deir Sennbel, Idlib, Syria

Step Agency reported that Russian forces carried out airstrikes on Jisr al-Shughour, Ma’rshurin, Hantoutin, Deir Sennbel, Heesh, Sahiyan and Tabish in rural Idlib, killing six civilians and injuring dozens across these locations. Another source said the attacks were conducted jointly by the Russian forces and the Syrian regime. No other details are known at this

Summary

First published
July 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
Civilians reported injured
1–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS929

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Four to six civilians from one family, including women and children, died following air strikes on the Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. A number of sources alleged the regime responsible, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Halab Today

Summary

First published
June 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7–8
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

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1262 RS2366

LOCATION

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1580

LOCATION

كفر جالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

Up to six civilians died in a suspected Russian attack on Kafr Jalis village, north west of Idlib city. The majority of sources alleged Russia was the culprit – most of those that did not listed “warplanes” as responsible. One report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the “warplanes” belonged to “the Syrian regime”

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 child1 woman4 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS330

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three to six civilians including two women and three to four children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buliyal, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three non-combatants – including two women and a child – died when Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3–4 children2 women)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS115

LOCATION

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

Alleged Russian airstrikes reportedly killed at least three non-combatants and injured at least ten in the neighbourhood of Al Mashhad, according to the White Helmets. The group said they recovered three bodies from the rubble and rescued ten people, transferring them to nearby field hospitals. Local media activist Mansour Hussain told Al Araby al Jadeed

Summary

First published
November 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
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