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

February 20, 2022

Incident Code

R4438

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were injured, with one reportedly dying of their injuries, when an unexploded cluster bomb from a previous bombing by the regime or Russian forces exploded in the town of Tadef on February 20, 2022. According to a tweet from @Almohrar1, two children were injured, one of whom had his hand amputated, due to

Summary

First published
February 20, 2022
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
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 17, 2022

Incident Code

R4470

LOCATION

كفر عمة, Kaframma, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, a boy or young man named Muhammad Hamdo Arab, was reported killed and his brother, Qusai Hamdo Arab, was wounded when an artillery shell hit civilian homes in the village of Kafr Amma in the western countryside of Aleppo, Syria on September 17th 2022.  It is a contested event as a result of

Summary

First published
September 17, 2022
Last updated
December 23, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2023

Incident Code

R4506

LOCATION

الأتارب, Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

Up to one civilian was killed, plus one woman and a man were reportedly injured as a result of contested action by Russian forces or the Syrian regime when a marketplace and a residential neighbourhood was hit by artillery and missile shelling in the city of Atareb, west of Aleppo, Syria. This attack took place

Summary

First published
March 23, 2023
Last updated
March 31, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2023

Incident Code

R4540

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

At least one woman was injured in a residential area on the western outskirts of the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, because of alleged shelling by Syrian Regime and/or Russian forces in the evening of Wednesday August 16th 2023. The Syrian Civil Defence and Baladi News reported that civilian property was damaged, a number

Summary

First published
August 16, 2023
Last updated
September 1, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

Incident date

October 4, 2023

Incident Code

R4564

LOCATION

كفرنوران, Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, Syria

A missile strike killed at least five members of the same family, including three women, and wounded at least one more — all civilians — in Kafr Nouran, Aleppo after midnight on October 5, 2023. The strike was allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military. Zahraa Ali Karhou, an elderly crippled mother,

Summary

First published
October 4, 2023
Last updated
February 9, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
IDP or refugee camp
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Incident Code

R4605

LOCATION

سرمين, Sermin (Sarmin), Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, two women and a man were reportedly injured as a result of the bombardment allegedly perpetrated by Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces on a residential neighborhood in the city of Sermin (Sarmin), east of Idlib, Syria. No further details on the identity of the injured civilians have been reported

Summary

First published
October 18, 2023
Last updated
June 28, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of injury / death
Accidents related to conflict, 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

Incident date

October 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS006

LOCATION

الهبيط, Al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians including one or two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike at Al Habeet. The 9pm attack was said to involve high-explosive rockets, and three of the the dead, two men and a child were later named. Another child may also have died in the incident according to some

Summary

First published
October 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1–2 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
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS038

LOCATION

تل سلطان, Tall Sultan, Idlib, Syria

Violations Documentation Center named an adult male from the town of Tel Azzan as having been killed in a Russian airstrike on a school building in nearby Tel Sultan, which also reportedly injured two.

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS071

LOCATION

مسرابا, Missraya, Damascus, Syria

According to reports, Russian warplanes allegedly carried out four raids on the town of Missraya in eastern Ghouta. Two or more people died and ‘dozens’ were injured, including women and children. According to the White Helmets, one of those killed was a little girl. The VDC also named adult male civilian Mohammad Saeid Mohammad Ali

Summary

First published
October 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS103

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets were among those reporting multiple civilian fatalities after a series of alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma. “Since the morning until now, more than 15 strikes,” the civil defence group posted. Syria Reporter published what it said was an image of two Russian aircraft operating over the city that day. The dead were

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(1–3 children3 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS139

LOCATION

خان طومان, Khan Tomam, Aleppo, Syria

According to the VDC, one adult male civilian was killed in an alleged strike by Russian warplanes. The victim name has been published by local media activist. A major battle appears to have taken place in the town, with the FSA reporting that one of its commanders was killed. And almost all sources blamed Russia

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS171

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian bombing of the town of Kafr Zita, according to multiple sources. Syria News Desk cited local media activist Abdel-Rahman al-Ali was saying that “Russian jets targeted three raids north side of Kafr Zita, killing two people and destroyed four houses.”  

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS204

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed, and five to six injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Maarat al Numan, according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network said the raid targeted the only water well in the town – at a time when a number of citizens were using the facility. It posted

Summary

First published
November 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS237

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 12 civilians including three children and one woman were reported killed and nine to 24 wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to multiple sources. According to Shahed Ayan there were two strikes, with both killing civilians. It remains unclear who was responsible for the raid, with conflicting reports. Some claimed the regime

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(3 children1 woman7 men)
Civilians reported injured
9–24
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
10 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS269

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed and 20 injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Al Bab. Up to 10 ISIL militants were also reported killed. Media activist Nassim Al Shamali said Russian warplanes launched several raid with cluster bombs on Daesh-occupied Al Bab, targeting al Noveaute street, Dowar al Manshie and several other

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

RS302

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians are listed as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib on December 22nd, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However both victims are also listed as having died in a strike on Idlib on December 20th. There are no additional reports of airstrikes on Idlib for December 22nd.    

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS334

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One adult male, named by the Violations Documentation Center as media activist Yousef Abo Bilal, (aka Abu al-Homsi Joshua) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. While the VDC lists Hamidiya neighbourhood in Homs, Yousef Abo Bilal actually died in Palmyra. His non-combatant status is also questioned. As Enabbaladi notes: “Activists from the city of Homs

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS366

LOCATION

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted Maarat al Arteek with three strikes, using highly explosive missiles. They said that an automated bakery and residential buildings were damaged, which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of 10 others, including serious cases taken to field hospitals.  

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS398

LOCATION

معرسة الخان, Ma’arasta al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arasta al Khan, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN said that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tal Rifaat and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded. The Syrian Observatory for

Summary

First published
January 16, 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 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS430

LOCATION

البغيلية, Al Bgailieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bgailieh, according to local sources – though only one source alleged that Russia was responsible. Step News Agency Tweeted that Russian strikes had hit Al Bgailieh. According to the Syria News Network, members of Daesh were “killed and wounded following clashes with the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS464

LOCATION

معرسة الخان, Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians – a man and a woman – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road to Ma’arasta Al Khan. Radio Al Kul reported “the martyrdom of Mariam Abdullah aged 30 year from Russian Aviation targeting with rockets on the road of Ma’arasta el Khan in the northern Aleppo countryside this afternoon.”  

Summary

First published
January 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS496

LOCATION

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a second day of alleged Russian strikes on the town, up to nine civilians including two children and one woman were killed at Al Salhiya, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at seven, including two children and one woman.  

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2 children1 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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS532

LOCATION

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reported that two adult male civilians, Ahmad al-Kurdi and Yehya al-Omar, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies lists just al-Omar as a victim in Garnata, reporting that he was “killed by indiscriminate” Russian shelling. In a dispatch, Al Jisr TV reported that Garnata

Summary

First published
February 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(0–1 children0–1 women2–1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS565

LOCATION

الصبخة, Sabheh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One woman, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Fatemah Naeif al Abdullah, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sabheh according to some local sources – though one other report said the regime was responsible. The woman was also named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, who said she was 24-years-old. Damascus

Summary

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

Incident date

February 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS598

LOCATION

el Na'aymeh, Daraa, Syria

At least two civilians died and three or more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on el Na’aymeh, according to two local sources. Alyakeen Media published a number of videos showing destruction of the town and the removal of dead and wounded bodies from the rubble. Voiceovers in videos said that the strikes were carried

Summary

First published
February 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
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

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS630

LOCATION

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on southern Aleppo, according to local sources. They were named by the VDC. However according to Syria Martrys, Al-Haj Barakat (named  by the VDC) was a militant, not a civilian and died from a gun shot. It also listed Hameed Ramadan (65 years old) and

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–2 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS662

LOCATION

حرنبوش, Haranbush, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians including a mother and her one or two children died in airstrikes on Haranbush, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Among the sources alleging that this was a Russian strike were Chamtime, Syrian Revolution and

Summary

First published
February 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–2 children1–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS694

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

One woman and her unborn child were killed and up to 20 other civilians injured in airstrikes on Jisr al Shughour, according to local sources. Two alleged that Russia was responsible. However a third (the Syrian Network for Human Rights) blames the Assad regime. Shaam News reported that Russian warplanes carried out air raids targeting

Summary

First published
February 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
13 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS726

LOCATION

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians including one woman and one girl died when the remains of a bombed exploded in the village of Al Jneina. The Violations Documentation Center listed two unidentified adult male victims, and said that they died from an explosion of remnants of a cluster bombed that had been dropped by Russia.

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 child1 woman2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS758

LOCATION

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

Local sources reported that between 18 and 20 civilians died in alleged regime and Russian raids on neighborhoods in Aleppo. According to the Shaam News Network, “regime and Russian planes” carried our raids “targeting most of Aleppo’s neighbourhoods: Tareeq al Bab, Al Mayssar, al Rashideen, Bustan al Qasr, Al Marja, Sallahudeen, Aqyool, Bab al Nayrab,

Summary

First published
April 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 20
(1–2 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
View Incident