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

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2475

LOCATION

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

A mother and four children were killed in their home as alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces struck the town of Jarjanaz. The death of a sixth civilian was also reported. Those killed included the woman’s grandson, according to local sources. At least five others were injured. Three “space rockets” hit the town through the

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–7
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 15, 2018

Incident Code

RS3025

LOCATION

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib, Syria

Up to six civilians, including two Civil Defence members, were killed, and as many as five were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck Tarmala, Idlib, local media reported. Smart News Agency, who cited local activists, said that a Russian missile targeted the Civil Defense team as they were approaching a military headquarters in the village

Summary

First published
February 15, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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

October 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1652 RS2663

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A family of up to six civilians died in airstrikes on Al Soussa town, according to local media. While most sources said that Russia was to blame, two alleged that the Coalition was responsible. One other source pointed towards the Syrian regime. The majority of sources (Al Latamna Youth Gathering, Al Jisr, Baladi, Eldorar, Step

Summary

First published
October 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children1 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1090

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians died in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo city, according to local media. According to multiple sources, a convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Aleppo was struck. LCCSY reported that “the rebels have made new progress today [Aug 3rd], gaining control of positions in the Aleppo countryside, while

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
Civilians reported injured
6
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 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1284

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported between five and six dead from airstrikes in the neighbourhood of al Sukkari, Aleppo. Five fatalities were identified by name by both Halab News and Syria2011 News. In addition, both sources claimed a sixth death, of an anonymous, 35-year-old individual. Most sources agreed that Russian warplanes were responsible. For example, LCCSY tweeted

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 women3–4 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1769

LOCATION

ساحة بزة , Bazza Square, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians from one family (a man, his wife and their four sons) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s  Bazza square, according to local media. The victims, from the Walid Khasim family, were named by Halab News and the Violations Documentation Center. Both of these sources attributed the deaths to Russia.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1 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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1832

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Orm Al Joz, Idlib, Syria

Six civilians were killed – mostly from the same family – and some were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al Joz, local media said. All sources reported that Russian missiles and rockets were to blame for the raid. As many as two female children and two women were reportedly killed in the raid.

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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

January 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS347

LOCATION

حزة, Hazzah, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hazzah village near Kafr Batna. Two victims were named by the VDC as having died at Kafr Batna itself, though all other sources placed their deaths at Hazzah. The VDC also listed two  unnamed members of the al Sadiq family as having died in

Summary

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

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS860

LOCATION

الشحيل, Al Shuhail, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and six civilians including at least two children and one woman died in a airstrike on Al Shuhail, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently put the death toll at six. Some of their reports

Summary

First published
June 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(2 children1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2019

Incident Code

RS3894

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes struck the cities of Idlib, Ma`ra al-Nu’man and Ariha in the north of Idlib, killing a combined total of six civilians including three children and two women and wounding up to 40. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime and reported that their warplanes fired

Summary

First published
July 12, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 child2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–40
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3246

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Between four and six civilians were killed and an unspecified number more were wounded, due to airstrikes on Saqba, local media reported. Local media blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Step News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes launched several air raids with rockets loaded with phosphorus and cluster bombs” were fired

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
4 – 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

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1759

LOCATION

حي باب الحديد, Bab al Hadid neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bab al Hadid, Aleppo, according to local media. Ayman Watfa, Step News Agency’s correspondent in Aleppo, reported that “six people were killed in the neighbourhood of Bab al Hadid in Russian raids using parachute bombs”. Halab News, who placed the death toll

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 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

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1950

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source reported that six civilians were killed and 13 others were injured following an alleged Russian raid on Maskanah, Aleppo. The source alleged that the victims arrived at Raqqa National Hospital following the aerial bombardment of the vicinity.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2117

LOCATION

بداما , Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Between two and six civilians including a child died and up to eight more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on the road between Bdama and Hambushiyah in the countryside of Idlib, according to local media. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a child and a man were killed and eight others were injured

Summary

First published
April 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 child1–5 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–8
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

May 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3673

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

A civilian and his pregnant wife were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita, Hama governorate, on May 7th, 2019, according to local media. Several sources reported the death of two civilians, named as Zaid Mahmoud Al Rajou and his wife Laila Al Rajou. According to the Syrian Press Centre, Laila was five months

Summary

First published
May 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS186

LOCATION

حي القصيلة, Qosaileh, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and six non-combatants, including two or more children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qosaileh, according to The White Helmets and the Violations Documentation Center. The Halab News Network posted a video showing the destruction of houses and other buildings, as a team of White Helmets searched for survivors. VDC has

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2–3 children2 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 18, 2018

Incident Code

RS3435

LOCATION

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Two children and four women were killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus governorate on May 18th 2018, according to local sources. Syria TV reported that “Syrian regime and Russian warplanes carried out a massacre of Palestinians in Yarmouk refugee camp today, by targeting a shelter with dozens

Summary

First published
May 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2019

Incident Code

RS3952

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Up to six civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on July 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five others were reported injured. @HalabTodayTV wrote that: “Two [civilians] were killed and others were wounded as a result of Russian airstrikes on

Summary

First published
July 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 children2 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2437

LOCATION

قرية الجنينة, Genina, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Sources on the ground reported that six civilians were killed and a further 10 were injured in an airstrike allegedly conducted by Russian forces on the village of Genina on September 13th 2017. According to the Smart News Agency, “Witnesses confirmed the killing of six civilians and wounding ten people this morning, air bomb likely

Summary

First published
September 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS100

LOCATION

حي كرم النزهة, Karem al Nuzha, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were reported killed in the village of Karem el Nuzha on the outskirts of Aleppo, in an alleged Russian airstrike. Smart News said six died in the attack. An eyewitness later told the local news agency: “We came over, and in this corner there was a corpse, body parts of a

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child1 woman2 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2984

LOCATION

جوبر, Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Between two and six civilians were killed as Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck the town of Jobar, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Jobar was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. In Jobar, most sources reported the death of two civilians, while Local Coordination Committees

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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

November 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1656 RS2666

LOCATION

السيال, Abu Kamal, Al Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and six civilians died in an airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Shabib Abu Jassim, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Iraqi air force, Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. According to Eldorar, “The sources said that in conjunction with the artillery

Summary

First published
November 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–2 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
18
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, Iraq Irregular Forces
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1091

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that six civilians including two children died and up to 30 more non-combatants were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atareb, which reportedly struck an aid convoy and several nearby camps for displaced people. On August 3rd 2016, Syrian News Desk reported that “Six civilians killed most of them are truck

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
5–30
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1381

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

Up to six civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Latamna, Hama, according to local media. Sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person. In this instance they have been listed as two people. According

Summary

First published
October 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child1 woman0–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS015

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeerbat, Hama, Syria

A reported airstrike on the sheep market at Akeerbat village killed six civilians, including a child. While some blamed Russia, others such as the Syrian Network initially held the Syrian regime responsible. Five victims were later named.

Summary

First published
October 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 child4 men)
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS764

LOCATION

الأتارب, Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Five consecutive airstrikes on a civil defense center in Atarib killed up to six members of the White Helmets. Reports however were conflicted: most blame the Assad regime, with only one (the Shaam News Network) alleging that this was the work of Russia – and reporting here was confused. According to the White Helmets, there

Summary

First published
April 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(6 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3881

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Up to 10 civilians, including at least four children, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib governorate, on July 10th, 2019. Around 10 civilians were injured. @AJArabic tweeted: “Six civilians were killed and 10 others were wounded, most of them women and children, by Russian-Syrian airstrikes on

Summary

First published
July 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
(4 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9–24
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS893

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including a member of the White Helmets and a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraytan, according to local sources. LCCSY said that four non-combatants were killed in a Russian raid. @azazmedia2011 was among sources who said that Russia used phosphorous bombs. The Shaam News Network also put the death toll

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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
2 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3077

LOCATION

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

Up to six civilians, hereof three to five children, were killed and “dozens” left wounded as Russian and/or Assad-waged airstrikes struck Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As the heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on February 23rd, Baladi News reported that 22 civilians had been killed in Kafar Batna within the past

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3–5 children)
Civilians reported injured
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 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3123

LOCATION

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

Between three and six civilians were killed in an alleged napalm bomb attack on Al Shifonya, local media reported. Civilians blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Members of the Syrian Civi Defence confined that “chloride gas” was used on the vicinity. Most other reports suggest it was napalm which resulted in the charring of bodies

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 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
1 named
View Incident