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 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS420

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal Islah neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between six and 18 civilians including two children were killed – and 15 others injured – in airstrikes on Al Buliyal, according to local sources. Most sources alleged that Russian forces carried out the strikes, though an initial report by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that regime warplanes were responsible – but subsequent reports by

Summary

First published
January 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 18
(2 children)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS454

LOCATION

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians were killed in an airstrike on Ma’adan, according to local sources – though it is currently unclear whether Russian forces or the Assad regime were responsible for the incident. Only the Shaam News Network blamed Russia for the raid, reporting in a news roundup that “Russian enemy planes launched air raids on civilian homes in

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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

January 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS486

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

Eleven civilians died including three women and seven children in alleged Russian raids on Al Ghantu, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” killed 11 civilians, including three women and seven children. They said that a man and his wife and three of their children were among those killed. The

Summary

First published
January 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
(7 children3 women)
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
Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS521

LOCATION

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria

One male child, Reda Waleed Othman, was named by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported the death of Othman, stating that he was killed by “indiscriminate” Russian shelling.  

Summary

First published
February 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS555

LOCATION

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

One girl, Aziza Al Bab, aged 10, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mashad according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS587

LOCATION

النعيمة‎, Naemah, Daraa, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named one civilian man, Morad Hasan al Aboud, as killed in an alleged Russian raid on Naemah. However, it linked to a video in which the voiceover says the victim is a ‘hero from the Free Army.’ Daraa Martyrs also published a video in which the voiceover says that “the martyr

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS620

LOCATION

الحامدية, Al Hamidiya hospital, Idlib, Syria

In a separate incident from the attacks on the National Hospital and the hospital for women and children (listed above for February 15th), between 13 and 26 civilians including up to seven women and at least two children died in airstrikes on the Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) hospital at Al Hamidiya, according to multiple sources

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 26
(2 children1–7 women22 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
40 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS652

LOCATION

دوار الـ"7كم", 7km roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four adult males died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the 7km roundabout in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network put the death toll at four and blamed Russia. The victims were named by the VDC. The victims – killed in an alleged Russian raid –

Summary

First published
February 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS684

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One 57-year-old woman died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh and at least four other civilians were injured, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported: “Two hours before the start of the ceasefire Russian planes carried out violent and intense air raids on the town of Talbissa causing the death of one woman and

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS716

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Two civilians – one woman and a child – died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Shaam News Network reported: “Russian planes supported Assad’s forces by bombing clash points. They targeted the city of Palmyra with

Summary

First published
March 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS748

LOCATION

الحسينية, Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One 65-year-old male civilian, Hanoud al-Assaf, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. Reports at the time cite heavy clashes in the near area between rebels and the Assad regime.  

Summary

First published
April 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS781

LOCATION

حي المغاير, Al Maghayer (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between four and seven civilians died in airstrikes on Al Maghayer as part of the ongoing bombardment of Aleppo, according to local sources. The majority of reports point to this being a regime incident, though one other blames the regime and Russia. Zamanalwasel News spoke of raids carried out by regime warplanes “on most of

Summary

First published
April 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS813

LOCATION

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A member of the the White Helmets was reported killed and two ambulances destroyed in airstrikes or barrel bomb strikes on Hulluk and Bai’deen.  

Summary

First published
May 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS846

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing one civilian in the Hraytan neighbourhood. Anadanmedia, Abdullahzaidan, Jisr TV, Shahba Press, Qasioun and Radio Akul all blamed Russia.

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

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

June 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS910

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

Multiple sources reported Russian warplanes carried out strikes in the region of Ar Raqqah and Al Tabaqa, reportedly killing 13 or more people and injuring up to 20. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identifed eight locations: Near the al Hamza mosque Near the al Rahma mosque The first neighbourhood at the entrance of al Bahira

Summary

First published
June 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–20
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1008

LOCATION

الألمجي, Al Alamji, Aleppo, Syria

Warplanes struck Al Almaji, a residential neighborhood in Old Aleppo and killed between 10 and 11 civilians, including women and children. According to Horrya News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Assad warplanes launched the raids. However, Shahba News Agency and other local news sources reported the raids to be Russian. The Syrian Civil

Summary

First published
July 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 11
(4–5 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
23
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

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

July 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1072

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Four or five civilians died in an airstrike on Sarmada, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Qasioun, Almntsrbalaah and Halabtoday all said that Russia was responsible, while Syria News Desk added that Russian warplanes had dropped cluster bombs on Sarmada’s main

Summary

First published
July 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 women1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1112 RS2308

LOCATION

Al Lattoum village, Homs, Syria

One child died and several members of his family were injured in an airstrike on Al Lattoum village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition (against which there was just one allegation), Russia or the Syrian regime. Alsoukhnaalhadath reported the death of

Summary

First published
June 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1378 RS2389

LOCATION

صبيخان, Subikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources said that up to six civilians were killed and up to ten more wounded in airstrikes on the town of Subikhan in the countryside of Eastern Deir Ezzor. It was unclear which party was culpable for this civilian casualty event. At present, two out of sixteen sources hold the US-led Coalition responsible, two

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1089

LOCATION

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

One person died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, according to local media. Photographic evidence from the Syrian Civil Defence showed the examination of what appears to be a Russian ballistic missile, containing cluster bombs.The director of the Civil Defence in Bdama reported that “the Russian barges struck Alchgrh village with a ballistic missile,

Summary

First published
August 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1121

LOCATION

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Dana, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY put the death toll at 11. Many sources attributed the airstrikes to regime planes, including Baladi, the

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
November 3, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(1 child1 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
7 named, 2 families identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1153

LOCATION

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

Between 13 and 24 civilians – many of them women and children – died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a popular market in Tareeq al Bab, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several pointed towards the regime. Reports said that a large number of civilians remained

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 24
(2–5 children2–5 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1185

LOCATION

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that between two and six civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo. The lowest death count was given by the Syrian Network for Human Rights – at two non-combatants. However, all other sources said that six civilians died. The majority of the reports blamed Russia,

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1218

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one child died and up to seven more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Anapress Smart, Syrian Press Centre and Halab Today all blamed Russia. However, Step News and the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–7
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

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1250

LOCATION

باتبو, Batabo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 12 civilians including four children and four women died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Batbo town. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia; however, several blamed the Syrian regime while some others didn’t distinguish between Russian or regime jets. According to the Shaam News Network,

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
(4 children4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
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
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1283

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between 12 and 20 civilians died and up to 21 more were wounded in an airstrike on a UN/Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy (reportedly consisting of up to 12 trucks) in Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(8 men)
Civilians reported injured
14–21
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
8 named
View Incident