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

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1682

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, warplanes struck a house in Marat, Deir Ezzor, killing up to five civilians from the same family, including children and women as well as wounding up to ‘dozens’. Several sources reported that the strikes struck residential buildings, calling the incident a “massacre”. Reportedly, the strikes struck a home belonging to the

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2413

LOCATION

صغير شامية, Saghir Shamiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In this single-source incident, the Smart News Agency reported that “five civilians from one family were killed on Thursday night [Aug 31st] in an air strike likely to be a Russian attack on the village of Zaghir Shamiya”. There are no further details currently available.

Summary

First published
August 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Incident Code

RS227

LOCATION

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria

In what appears to be a separate incident from the Maskaneh event previously listed, five non- combatants were reported killed when Russian warplanes allegedly struck a convoy of trucks carrying aid to the areas controlled by rebels in the northern countryside of Aleppo. Shaam News Network cited the Anatolia News Agency as saying the trucks

Summary

First published
December 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

April 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS3392

LOCATION

قرية مرعند, Mar’, Idlib, Syria

A woman and her four children were killed in airstrikes on the town of Mar’, according to local media. Early reports said the injured children were taken to nearby medical points where they are believed to have later died. The mother was named as Samar Abdul Rahman by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Syria

Summary

First published
April 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(4 children1 woman)
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS772

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and 16 were injured in a Russian or regime attack on Marja. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said three civilians died as a result of Russian strikes. LCCSY also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at four. But the Syrian Mirror said the regime was responsible, reporting that four

Summary

First published
April 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
16
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

April 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3413

LOCATION

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were reported killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus Syria ffor the third consecutive day on April 22nd, 2018. Marsad Hasaka said that Anas Bassam Amouri , Haj Saleh Mahmoud, Muhannad Saleh Mahmoud and Jamal Samih Hamid ‘Abu Khaled’ were killed in

Summary

First published
April 22, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1–5 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3071

LOCATION

مديرا, Madera, Damascus, Syria

At least one – possibly a child – and as many as five civilians were killed as Madera, Damascus, was subject to airstrikes, carried out by Russia and/or the Assad regime, as reported by local media. As a part of the intense shelling of eastern Ghouta, Madera was also struck by warplanes, local media reported. For

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(0–1 children)
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

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1272

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Five named civilians including one child and a woman died and up to eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Talbissa, Homs, according to sources on the ground. Syria News Desk reported that “three young men were killed and five others wounded today after cluster bombs dropped

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–8
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2014

LOCATION

حلفايا, Halfaya , Hama, Syria

Five named civilians were reportedly killed and several other civilians were wounded in alleged strikes by Russian or regime warplanes on Halfaya, Hama, on March 22nd or 23rd, local sources reported. The road between al-Majdal and Halfaya village in Hama was reportedly struck by both air and artillery bombardment on either March 22nd or 23rd.

Summary

First published
March 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1–2 women4 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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS335

LOCATION

مخيم عابدين للنازحين, A'bedeen camp for IDPs, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians were killed and 20 wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on A’bedeen camp for displaced people, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets told SNN that the shelling hit a large number of tents, scattering their contents across the site. They added that firefighters and ambulance teams attended the scene and

Summary

First published
December 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 man)
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

June 5, 2019

Incident Code

RS3764

LOCATION

كفرعويد, Kafar A’waid, Idlib, Syria

According to local sources, five civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr A’waid on June 5th, 2019. 10 others, including four children, were reportedly wounded. Local sources reported that in the morning of June 5th, Russian and Syrian regime forces fired

Summary

First published
June 5, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS687

LOCATION

معارة الأرتيق, Maarat Artik, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Artik, according to local sources. Multiple reports blamed Russia: Akhbar Alaan put the death toll at three including one child with four more civilians injured. AMC said that as many as five non-combatants perished. According to Syrian Press Centre,

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS848

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Five children from the same family died in an airstrike on As Suknhah, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. LCCSY said that “five children were killed and others injured on the outskirts of al Sokhna in the eastern countryside following raids by Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
June 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(5 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–14
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

July 29, 2019

Incident Code

RS3976

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

Five civilians, including at least one child and two women, from the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Latamina in the northern Hama countryside on the evening of July 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to four others were reported injured. The Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
July 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1347

LOCATION

الزبدية, al Zabadia, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians died in the Al Zabadia neighbourhood of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported: “Two martyrs and ten wounded were reported as Russian warplanes carried out cluster bomb attacks on the Zabadia neighborhood.” Syrian Press Center reported a higher death

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1970

LOCATION

السخنة المحطة الثالثة , the third station near al Sukhna, Homs, Syria

Up to five civilians died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the third station near al Sukhna, local sources reported. According to the Step News Agency, “Russian warplanes launched several air raids targeting the third station near al Sukhna in eastern Homs which led to a number of

Summary

First published
March 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
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 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2700

LOCATION

السيال, Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five civilians were killed, including an entire family of four, in an airstrike on the village of Sayyal. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. Enabbaladi reported that specific warplanes were not identified “but activists from the city confirmed the social networking sites that the raids belong to the Russian aircraft accompanying the operations

Summary

First published
November 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children1 woman1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS538

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that three civilians including one woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan. Shahed A’ayan Halab reported the deaths of 5 people and the wounding of 3 others as a result of Russian bombing in Hraytan.  

Summary

First published
February 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2560

LOCATION

اورم الكبرى, Orme Al Kubra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two consecutive air raids using cluster munition and thermobaric rockets struck the town of Orme Al Kubra near Aleppo, resulting in the deaths of between three to five persons and the injuring many others, according to local media. Russian or regime warplanes were reported to have been to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–3 children2 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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3065

LOCATION

كفربطنا , Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and several left wounded as Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to Russian and/or Assad-waged air and artillery shelling, local media reported. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, Baladi News reported how a total of 22 civilians had been killed in Kafar Batna the

Summary

First published
February 22, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(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

September 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1294

LOCATION

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians were killed, including two children, after airstrikes allegedly waged by the regime or Russia, pummeled the al Mowasalat neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported. More civilians were trapped under rubble. Several sorties were flown over Aleppo, and according to Islammemo “both planes and helicopters” were involved. Sources agreed that it

Summary

First published
September 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(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
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1424

LOCATION

Sadd al Loz, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including a child and a woman died and up to 20 more people were injured in air and/or artillery strikes on Sad al-Luz in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia. The media opposition activist

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–20
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

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1683

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Following a lethal attack on the village of Marat, Deir Ezzor, the previous day, the village was reportedly struck by airstrikes again on the 24th, resulting in up to five civilian fatalities and several more people being wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Deir Ezzor radio

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS261

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Russian air raid on the village of al Baghouz in eastern Deir Ezzor led to at least three deaths including a child. According to area blogger al Hussein al Hashimi “a raid on the village of al Baghouz targeting the home of Raheel al Majoul led to the death of Ibrahim al Majoul.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child)
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
Unknown
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS325

LOCATION

كحيل, Kaheel, Daraa, Syria

Four or five civilians were reported killed including a woman and dozens wounded, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kaheel according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that four non-combatants died when Russian warplanes struck the town. The seriously wounded were taken to field hospitals. Five victims were listed by the Violations Documentation Center

Summary

First published
December 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 woman3 men)
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
Unknown
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS453

LOCATION

بزاعة, Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Three to four civilian children and one woman were killed in an airstrike on Baza’a, according to local sources – though one report says that they were killed by the regime. The Shaam News Network published a news roundup in which they said that “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on Al Bab, the town

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3–4 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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS967

LOCATION

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

An entire residential building in the neighbourhood of Al-Mashhad was reportedly destroyed killing four or five civilians. Both LCCSY and locals have confirmed the shelling took place on Al-Albisah Street. Multiple sources claim there was heavy shelling and the use of missiles by Russian warplanes. All sources, including Syrian News Desk, reported the warplanes to be Russian.

Summary

First published
July 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 children)
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

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1499

LOCATION

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians, including two women and two children, died following airstrikes on residential areas of Al Kornish, Al Mayadin, according to multiple local sources. At present it is unclear who was responsible as the majority of sources did not identify the aircraft. Russia was blamed by four reports, the US-led Coalition was accused

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children3 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
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1079

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan al Sheikh, local media reported. According to Halab Today, “four civilians from one family were martyred following Russian air strikes targeting Khan al Sheikh camp for Palestinian refugees in the western Damascus countryside.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
August 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children1 woman1 man)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1111

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Multiple sources reported that between four and five civilians including two women died and up to 12 others were injured in four raids on Idlib City – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The majority of sources attribute the raids to Russia. However, The

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
October 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–12
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
Geolocation
City
View Incident