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 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1586

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

According to multiple local sources Russia carried out airstrikes on Anadan, northern Aleppo. The remaining sources did not identify a culprit and mentioned only “warplanes”. Almaghrib Today said “there were no reports of civilian casualties”, moreover all other sources but one did not report civilian deaths. LCCSY said five died and “a hospital was put

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS1937

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

In this single-source incident, the Smart News Agency “that five dead and 14 wounded, including women and children, arrived at the al Tabaqa hospital”. It said they had died in a bombing by “military aircraft” on Palmyra’s eastern desert – and went on to say that the culprit was likely to be Russia. It is

Summary

First published
March 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2394

LOCATION

حمادة عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria

Local sources reported that four or five civilians were killed, including four young men from the same family, and others were injured, following an airstrike on Hamada Omar. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. According to the Shaam News Network, “Activists said four young men from the al-Haj Ahmad Saad al-Din al-Hamoud family

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2544

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Airstrikes on Douma reportedly hit civilian homes and a centre for people with special needs. The centre was destroyed, and local media reported that up to five civilians were killed. Up to a further 20 civilian were said to have been wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS053

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named Omar Al Sheikh Hammoud from Talbiseh as a civilian victim of a Russian airstrike on Al Ghantu. He had been severely injured in a strike the day before. Video filmed on October 18th shows rebels attempting to shoot down a suspected Russian aircraft over the town. A major Syrian Army

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2956

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Up to five members of the Civil Defence were killed and several were left wounded, local media reported, following alleged Russian or Assad regime shelling of the Civil Defence Center in Saraqib, Idlib. Several local media reported that the Civil Defence Center had been struck, described by the Civil Defences’ Twitter as “heavy shelling”. The

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
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

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2861

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians were reportedly killed in air and artillery strikes which struck Arbeen in the middle of the night. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some sources attributing blame to Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime. A handful of sources blamed “warplanes”, not specifying who the belligerent was. Qalamon, who named

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3063

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

According to local media, up to five civilians, including four women, were killed and several were left wounded as Russian and/or Assad-waged warplanes struck Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Enab Baladi reported how “at least five people were killed today in the town of Hamuriya, in the center of the besieged area, by an air strike

Summary

First published
February 22, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3969

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

At least four men were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. 18 others were reported injured. Although Ariha Today initially cited three civilians killed, the same source later named four fatalities, all of whom were men. Smart News Agency

Summary

First published
July 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
18
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, Unknown
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1662 RS2673

LOCATION

المراشدة, Al Mrashda river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians died in an airstrike on the al Mrashda river crossing in Deir Ezzor, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, Syrian regime or Russia were responsible. According to Al Hall, the Coalition “targeted the water crossing in the town of Al Mrashda in rural

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1194

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and eight others were wounded in airstrike son Daret Izza, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes launched two air missiles on a residential area in the town of Darat Izza morning,

Summary

First published
August 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2–3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1323

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Four or five civilians were killed in alleged Russian raids on the Kafr Hamra neighborhood of Aleppo. Four civilians were named by HNN, including two children and a woman. The first three civilians were also mentioned by name by @NewsFlashAleppo. Microsyria said that attacks by Russian planes “martyred three civilians from one family.” @HalabTodayTV, tweeting

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1574

LOCATION

خان شيخون , Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians – a woman and her four children – died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. Most sources blamed the Assad regime, though there were also allegations against Russia. According to SMO, “Russian occupation aircraft on Sunday carried out a horrific massacre in the town of Khan Sheikhan in the village

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 woman)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2254

LOCATION

محيميدة, Mheimediya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including one to two children and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the village of Mheimidiya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. Three of the civilians killed were reportedly from the Mohammed al-Abar family and

Summary

First published
May 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2494

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians were killed and “dozens” more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes. Idlib Media Centre reported “the death  of three martyrs

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2506

LOCATION

قرية القنيطرة, al Quneitra, Idlib, Syria

Five people were killed, and eight others, including four children and three women were wounded, in airstrikes against the village of al Quneitra in the Harem district of northwest Idlib. Sources all blamed Russian aviation for the raids. Syrian Network for Human Rights published an image of an injured child and reported that “The girl

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
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
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2019

Incident Code

RS3648

LOCATION

جب سليمان, Jab Suleiman, Hama, Syria

On the morning of May 3rd, alleged Russian airstrikes struck different areas in Sahl Al Ghab and Jabal Shashbu in the western countryside of Hama, local sources reported. Between one and five civilians were reported killed in the village of Jib Sulaiman in Jabal Shaheshbo, including up to two women. @IdlibPlus reported the death of

Summary

First published
May 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS290

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Four to five civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, north of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

First published
December 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
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

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS354 CS164

LOCATION

عين عيسى, `Ayn `Isa, Raqqa, Syria

A strike by aircraft reportedly killed five civilians. Syria News attributed the attack to Russia, while Ara News said it was a Coalition action. VDC – which attributed the attack to the regime – named five victims. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS386

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Four to five civilians including two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hayyan, according to the Shaam News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre. SNN reported that five non-combatants were killed, while the Violations Documentation Centre named four victims.    

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 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 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS802 CS214

LOCATION

الحمرات, Al Hamrat (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians (from the same family) including three children and one woman died in airstrikes on Al Hamrat according to local sources – though reports were confused with conflicting allegations that Russian, the regime or the Coalition had carried out the attacks. Qasioun said a Russian fighter targeted residential neighborhoods in the village, resulting in

Summary

First published
May 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3037

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including at least one child, were killed as the town of Al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, local media reported. Sources were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime – or both. As several sources reported, large parts of eastern

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1745

LOCATION

الانصاري, Al Ansari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source reported that five unidentified civilians were killed “following Russian enemy raids on Al Ansari neighbourhood”.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2038

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamlaka, Damascus, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including one to two children, were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Zamalaka in the Damascus countryside. The civilians killed include two child siblings, Omar and Mazan al-Gharbi, and a Civil Defense member, Sameer Mohammad Akram al Ghoush. According to

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 children1–3 men)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3842

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

An airstrike local sources believed to be Russian struck a residential neighborhood in Saraqib. According to the Syrian Civil Defense forces who were at the scene, four high-explosive missiles struck a house and killed a family of five, including two women and two children. The source claimed seven other civilians were wounded, including two children.

Summary

First published
June 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS3051

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

As the aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on February 21st, the town of Arbeen was struck by Russian and/or Assad-waged air raids, killing up to five civilians and wounding another three, local media reported. On February 21st, al-Modon reported that “more than 50 air raids” were carried out in multiple towns in eastern Ghouta, including

Summary

First published
February 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS975

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including two children died and 15 more were wounded in strikes by warplanes and helicopters on Tareek al Bab, according to local sources – though it was unclear whether Russian jets or Syrian regime helicopters were to blame. Orient News reported that the Regime helicopters used explosive barrels. There were multiple

Summary

First published
July 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
15
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1216

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan al Subbul, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians died and as many as 20 were wounded in airstrike on Khan Al-Subbul in Idlib governorate, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. In one report, LCCSY blamed the regime but then appeared to

Summary

First published
September 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1443

LOCATION

الزبدية, al Zabadia, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians died and up to 10 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Zabadiyeh neighbourhood, according to local media. Shahba and Micro Syria blamed Russia, putting the death toll at three. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
6–10
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

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1714

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Qaterji neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died in an  airstrike on Aleppo’s Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources said that the civilian harm was caused by a chlorine attack from helicopters, though some other reports pointed towards Russia and cited the use of cluster bombs and rockets. Nabd explictly said that “Assad helicopters threw explosive barrels of chlorine

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident