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

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS834

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Al Castello road Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and 15 civilians died when a bus was struck on the Al Castello road, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network initially reported regime warplanes killed six civilians when they “fired near a bus on Al Castello

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 15
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS866

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put

Summary

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

June 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS898

LOCATION

المعادي, Al Ma'adi (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on Al Ma’adi, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Among the sources blaming Russia were LCCSY and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. According to SN4HR, at least three civilians including two children

Summary

First published
June 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1–2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS931

LOCATION

‏الشيخ احمد‬, Sheikh Ahmad, Aleppo, Syria

Three to four civilians including one woman and two children died and an unknown number of others were wounded – reportedly mostly women and children – in airstrikes on Al Sheikh Ahmad village, Aleppo, according to local sources. All sources but one blamed Russia. A later report by Step News Agency said the death toll

Summary

First published
June 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(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 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS964

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Heavy airstrikes on Hraytan – which local sources blamed on either Russian planes or Syrian regime helicopters – killed two named children. According to the Syrian Observatory the town was also attacked with artillery. One local source, Syrian Press Center, said that “Russia and the regime carried out 40 raids, and threw 30 explosive barrels,

Summary

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

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS996

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

In an airstrike which was reported to be both Russia and the Syrian regime, one child was alleged killed. The incident took place in Kafra Hamra. The Syrian Newsdesk blamed Russia for “five raids” which not only killed a child, but also left 12 “seriously wounded”. Syrian Pulse, however, reported that there were more than 15

Summary

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

Incident date

July 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1028

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A 10 year-old child named Jamil Mustafa was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Ferdos neighbourhood, according to LCCSY. Despite this claim, a pro-regime Twitter page reported that “Syrian warplanes targeted armed groups in Ferdos and Kallaseh neighbourhoods and injured some armed members.” Step News reported sighting helicopters which threw explosive barrels

Summary

First published
July 22, 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 belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1060

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians died and up to six others were wounded in Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Abdulkarimlaila blamed Russia, but most sources did not identify the culprit. Orient News and Rojava, however, referred to

Summary

First published
July 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS559 RS1949

LOCATION

البوراشد, Albu Rashed, Raqqa, Syria

In a major incident, up to 24 civilians reportedly died when an aircraft allegedly struck a vehicle just outside Al bu Rashed. Most of those killed were said to be children. All source blamed the Coalition, except one, which said that this was the work of Russia. Step News initially reported that the vehicle was

Summary

First published
March 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 24
(6–8 children4–6 women2 men)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1282

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 48 civilians died and 40 were injured in alleged air and artillery strikes by the Coalition and the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. However, sources did not specify the locations for these deaths and these are therefore general numbers. Additionally, one source Watan reported that there had been Russian actions in

Summary

First published
July 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
48
Civilians reported injured
40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1497 RS2456

LOCATION

مظلوم, Masloum Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian woman died with her two children in an aerial attack on the the village of Mazloum Tahtani (12km east of Deir Ezzor), close to the primary school and the mosque, according to local media. Step News however, out the death toll as high as five. Shabha also referred to civilians wounded in the event,

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1702 RS2813

LOCATION

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra

Summary

First published
December 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1109

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

At least seven civilians including two women and two children were killed and up to 40 more wounded in alleged long-range ballistic missiles (Scud) strikes launched from battleships in the Mediterranean. But sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or Syrian regime.The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1141

LOCATION

قبطان الجبل, Qibtan al Ghabal, Aleppo, Syria

Five named civilians died and up to dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Qebtan al-Jabal, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at three, including one girl, and

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(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
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1173

LOCATION

Adwan, Idlib, Syria

Two or more civilians including two women died and up to 50 more were wounded when cluster bombs were dropped on Adwan, local media reported. The majority of the sources – LCCSY, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and ENN – blamed the regime. Idlib City News put the death toll at one, but most

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1206

LOCATION

Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Three or four civilians died in an airstrike or artillery shelling of Maysar, according to sources on the ground. All but one source blamed regime artillery for the event. LCCSY reported one civilian died and others were wounded in Russian airstrikes.

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS1238

LOCATION

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Al Latamna Youth reported the death of one civilian male following cluster bomb raids by suspected Russian planes on the town of Kafr Zita.  No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1271

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died in air or artillery strikes on Hraitan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Only one source – LCCSY – explicitly said that Russia was responsible, reporting that “12 people were killed in Aleppo, most of them in Russian

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1303

LOCATION

جزمتي, Jazmati neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, reported an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Jazmati neighbourhood. @naifaleidi and @HalabTodayTV also reported Russian strike on Jazmati but made no mention of civilian harm. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1335

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1367

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Between one and seven civilians were reported killed and as many as 90 more wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Idlib. According to Step News there were “one dead and several injured following three raids by Russian warplanes that targeted the neighbourhoods of the city.” Step News also reported that the Sheikh

Summary

First published
September 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
Civilians reported injured
5–90
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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1400

LOCATION

كرم حومد, Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Karam Houmad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child)
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1433

LOCATION

جوبر‎, Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1465

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One or two civilians died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according local media.Halab News put the death toll at one and blamed Russia. Smo-sy and @ALAMAWI were among other sources that attributed the event to Moscow. The Smart News Agency reported that “two civilians died

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
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

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1497

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a father and his son or daughter – died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two victims (a child and

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1643

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

On November 20, 2016, up to 16 civilians, including a family of six with four children, were reportedly killed by aerial shelling containing chlorine gas in the al-Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo. Local sources differ on whether the strike can be attributed to Russia or the Syrian regime. SMART News Agency reported six civilians were killed

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 15
(4 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Cause of injury / death
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1954

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in a multi-strike raid on Darat Izza, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes on the town. A local source reported that a school was struck in the first raid, and published images showing material damage to the infrastructure.  Al-Hajji

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 17, 2023
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(2 children5–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
8 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2020

Incident Code

RS4503

LOCATION

شلخ, Shalakh, Idlib, Syria

A man has been killed and up to three others have been reported to have been injured, including one women as a result of alleged Russian and Assad airstrikes on the town of Shalakh on March 3rd 2020. Syrian Civil Defense reported: “In the town of Shalakh, a man was killed and 3 people were

Summary

First published
March 3, 2020
Last updated
March 1, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 12, 2021

Incident Code

R4317 IRS009 YS106

LOCATION

مشفى الشفاء, Al Shifaa Hospital, Aleppo, Syria

At least 13 civilians, including four hospital staff and a pregnant woman, two to five other women, and one to three children, were killed and up to 50 others, including 11 hospital staff, were injured in alleged airstrikes and/or artillery shelling of Al-Shifaa Hospital in Afrin on June 12, 2021. Responsibility for the strikes is

Summary

First published
June 12, 2021
Last updated
August 25, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 23
(1–3 children3–6 women9 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–50
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, Turkish Military, Syrian Democratic Forces, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
42 named, 3 families identified
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2022

Incident Code

R4462

LOCATION

قرية كدورة, Kadora village, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were injured by alleged Russian or regime shelling of the village of Kadora on August 18, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two civilians picking figs were injured by artillery shelling carried out by Russian or regime forces on a farm near Kadora village. The majority of sources attributed the shelling to

Summary

First published
August 18, 2022
Last updated
September 5, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident