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

January 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS343

LOCATION

ابطع, Abtaa, Daraa, Syria

Five to six civilians including two children were killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Abtaa, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – though reports are unclear whether the deaths were the result of raids by Russian warplanes or shelling by regime forces. The Syrian

Summary

First published
January 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS375

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians were killed – including two children, an elderly man and a first aider – and several wounded in an airstrike on Douma, according to the White Helmets – though they did not say who was responsible for the attack the report stated that residential areas were targeted with cluster bombs. Shaam News reported that

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS823

LOCATION

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Activists told the Shaam News Network that “Sukhoi 24 warplanes” carried out strikes on Kafr Takharim, killing two children and wounding other civilians. In a later news roundup it said that the aircraft were “believed to be Russian”. A number of other news reports, including from Qasioun News, also blamed Russia. But the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
May 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 children)
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

August 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1161

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians including women and children died and up to 12 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Qaterji, local media reported. The victims included the 10-year-old child  who later died from injuries sustained in the attack. His brother, Omran Daqmeesh, was also wounded when the strike hit the family home –

Summary

First published
August 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(2 children)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1915

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

As many as six civilians were killed – and dozens more were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Misrin, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, however some others did not attribute blame while others pointed to the Syrian regime. According to reports, three rockets – allegedly vacuum missiles –

Summary

First published
February 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS482

LOCATION

كفر لاها, Al Houla, Homs, Syria

Six civilians including one woman and two children (a boy and a girl) were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Laha, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory initially reported that five non-combatants died when “warplanes believed to be Russian which targeted places in Kafr Laha village at al-Houla.” They then reported that

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
41–40
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3913

LOCATION

صهيان, Sahyan, 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. Other local sources said the Syrian regime is also involved in conducting the airstrikes, but didn’t mention any casualties. No other details are known

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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1366

LOCATION

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Between four and six civilians were reportedly killed and up to 20 more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jarjanaz near Idlib. Step News, News from Damascus and Syria News Desk attributed the event to the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Qasioun, Smart News and Syriansnews claimed the strikes were conducted by Russia. Halab News

Summary

First published
September 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(3 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS1908

LOCATION

اليادودة , al Yadouda, central countryside of Daraa, Daraa, Syria

Five named women – and possibly a girl – died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strike on al Yadouda in the central countryside of Daraa, according to local media. According to Orient News, “Russian aircraft targeted the town of Al-yadouda in the countryside of Daraa Gharbi with several air strikes,

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child5 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS589

LOCATION

تلمنس, Talmanas, Idlib, Syria

Six civilians including two children and three women died in airstrikes on Talmanas, according to local sources – though they are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, and there is also some confusion on the date of the incident. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children3 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS878

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including two women and two children died and dozens more were injured in raids on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four civilians including two women died

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1668

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were killed and several wounded during aerial shelling of al-Ferdous, Aleppo, local media reported. Some sources reported of “several” victims while most specified that number to six. For instance, Halab Today TV’s correspondent reported that: “6 civilians martyred and others injured following air raids on homes in AlFerdos in besieged Aleppo.”

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–19
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

RS2364

LOCATION

الغانم العلي , Al-Ghanem Al-Ali, Raqqa, Syria

Akhbaralaan reported that “Russian aircraft also destroyed the building of the consumer institution in the town of Al-Ghanim Al-Ali”. According to the Step News Agency, “intensive Russian raids targeted the village of Ghanem al-‘Ali in the eastern suburb of Raqqa this morning [July 24th], killing six people and injuring others.”

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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

November 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2676 CS1665B

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al-Baghoz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians were killed, and some others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al-Baghoz. Local media blamed both the Iraqi Army and Russia – but it is unclear who was to blame. An entire family of six were allegedly killed in the raid. Smart Mews reported that “aircraft likely to be Russian launched

Summary

First published
November 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–3 children1 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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2531

LOCATION

حوير العيس, Hawir al Eis, Aleppo, Syria

As many as six civilians including a woman and an unspecified number of children were killed and at least two others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Hawir al Eis in the southern suburbs of Aleppo, according to local media. The Smart News Agency did not give an estimate of how

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2533

LOCATION

قرية القناطر , Al Qanatar village, Aleppo, Syria

As many as five airstrikes on Al Qanatar killed and wounded a number of civilians, according to sources on the ground. Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that warplanes, suspected to be Russian, struck a school in the village of Al Qanatar in the southern Aleppo countryside on September

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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

November 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2701

LOCATION

فيضة الجب, Faidat Al-Jib, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Six civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes which struck an IDP camp in Faidat Al-Jib. Sources blamed Russian warplanes, according to local media. Initial reporting suggested two had been killed – a mother and son. Later on local media reported that the toll had reached six. All victims were named by the sources. It was

Summary

First published
November 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
13
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

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS889

LOCATION

الحيدرية, Haydariya (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and six civilians died in either an airstrike on artillery bombardment on Haydariya, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible. Reporting on the deaths of civilians in Aleppo from “Russian aircraft and Assad’s helicopters“, the Shaam News Network said that “shelling

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1663

LOCATION

باغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four or more civilians died in an airstrike on al Baghouz, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, one said that it was unclear whether Russia had been responsible. The US-led alliance later admitted killing five civilians in the event. According to Al Hal, “Coalition forces also raided al-Bagouz village in

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS2224

LOCATION

حي الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One adult male and as many as five children was killed, in airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Hamidiya. Up to four civilians were also wounded. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrain regime. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the

Summary

First published
May 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(4–5 children1 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

November 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS215

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reported that six civilians, including one female and five children, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on As Sukhna. Activist Alamawi Omer published what he said was an account of the attack: “This morning at eight thirty in the morning the brutal Russian Air Force threw a barrage of rockets.

Summary

First published
November 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(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
Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3914

LOCATION

طبيش, Tabish, 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 local sources said that the Syrian regime was also involved in undertaking the attacks, but didn’t mention casualties. No other details are known

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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1335

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Five named civilians from the same family, including three children, died as result of either Russian or Syrian regime airstrike in the Bab Nayrab neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. CNN reported that civilian infrastructure was destroyed in the strike: “As a result of heavy shelling last night, Bab Nayrab station, which provides water

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3 children1 woman1 man)
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

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS430

LOCATION

البغيلية, Al Bgailieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bgailieh, according to local sources – though only one source alleged that Russia was responsible. Step News Agency Tweeted that Russian strikes had hit Al Bgailieh. According to the Syria News Network, members of Daesh were “killed and wounded following clashes with the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS654

LOCATION

حتلا, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians including one or two children and one woman died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hatla, according to multiple local sources – with some reporting that all six victims were from the same family. According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, Russian warplanes carried out two raids. LCCSY put

Summary

First published
February 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS3045

LOCATION

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

At least three civilians were killed and up to dozens were left wounded as Ain Tarma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by airstrikes, local media reported, who, however, were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime – or both. As depicted on footage from the scene, the airstrikes hit residential areas and left

Summary

First published
February 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS944

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

According to local sources, up to six civilians died including a child in Talbissa and Ar-Rastan, though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Elbiseh, Syrian Press Center and StepAgency identified on of the victims. LCCSY attributed the strike to Russia, while the twitter account KkhaledWw pointed to

Summary

First published
June 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 child1 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

July 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS976

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A petrol station was destroyed causing huge fires in Salheen following alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplane shelling, reportedly killing up to six civilians including three children. Burqa Media, LCCSY and local sources reported that Russian warplanes caused the damage to the neighbourhood. But Halab News reported the raids to be conducted by the Syrian

Summary

First published
July 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1040

LOCATION

سوحا, Souha, Hama, Syria

Six civilians from one family, including a woman and four children, died in an airstrike on Souha in Hama, according to local media. Only one of the two sources (LCCSY), alleged that Russia was to blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred only to “warplanes”.

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 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
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1228

LOCATION

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hor town, local media reported. According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hor town in the western suburbs with led to the fall of four civilian martyrs

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–20
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
View Incident