Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1671

LOCATION

‏خان شيخون‬, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Multiple sources reported that aerial bombardment in the city of Khan Sheikun, Idlib killed at least three civilians, including two to three children, and wounded up to seven more – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2–3 children)
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
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2177

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Ma’ar Zita, Idlib, according to local media sources.  The Shamna medical point was struck and four of the medical staff were killed, Halab Today reported. There was a second strike after the hospital was struck, according to Al Jazeera. They reported that “Russian aircraft re-targeted

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 men)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS156

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Observatory reported that four non-combatants were killed and ten people were injured (four seriously) in three alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. A video filmed in the immediate aftermath shows devastated civilian houses, with at least ten injured adults and children. A second video (below) shows the moment the airstrike hits Khan Sheikhoun.

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 women1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS318

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Four civilians including a child were reported killed in major alleged Russian air raids on Palmyra. Revolution Palmyra reported as many as 60 strikes on the city by Russia, including with cluster munitions. It said the raids were concentrated as follows: “- 10 air strikes on the city hospital which led to massive destruction –

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child3 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
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

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS350

LOCATION

أبو طلطل, Abu Taltal, Aleppo, Syria

Four named civilians from one family including a child died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on the town of Abou Taltal in Aleppo governorate.    

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child3 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

August 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1104

LOCATION

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

Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on the al Zabadiya and Bustan al Qasr neighbourhoods in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. LCCSY was among several sources blaming Russia. It put the death toll at four civilians.

Summary

First published
August 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1658

LOCATION

ابو الظهور, Abu Al Zuhur, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were killed – including one child – and several others injured in airstrikes which struck a market place in Abu Al Zuhur – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some reports blaming Russian warplanes and others blaming the Syrian regime for the raid. Sdu Syria reported that rocket propelled

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
Named victims
4 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1903

LOCATION

المستريحة, Al-Mstareha, Aleppo, Syria

One family – two male children and their parents – were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on ISIS-controlled Al-Mstareha, according to local media. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the family died in “suspected Russian warplane missiles fired on Al Mstareha village”.  The only other known source to report on the event also attributed

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2214

LOCATION

شنداخيان جنوبي, Shandakhiyat Janoubi, Homs, Syria

In this single-source event, an alleged Russian airstrike killed four civilians, including one woman, and seriously wounded another three in Shandakhiyat Janoubi, Homs, Smart News Agency reported. Smart News added that the wounded were taken to hospitals in Deir Ezzor, which at the time was controlled by ISIS. There are currently no further details available.

Summary

First published
May 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2520

LOCATION

قرية الكفير, Al-Kafeer, Idlib, Syria

Between two and four civilians, including one to two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the village of Al-Kafeer in the Jisr al-Shoughour area of the western countryside of Idlib, according to local sources and activists. Overall, “17 civilians were killed and 42 others injured in the

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2623

LOCATION

صبيخان, Sabikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to four civilians, including one woman and two children, were killed and several were wounded following aerial and ground shelling of Sabikhan village, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Without identifying the culprit, Euphrates Post reported that Sabikhan

Summary

First published
October 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(2 children1 woman2 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS135

LOCATION

الصوانة, Al Sawana, Homs, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians, including two children, were killed in an alleged raid by Russian warplanes. According to the Network, the non-combatants were targeted as they were leaving the town of Maheen in Homs, leading to some reporting confusion with the following incident. The SNHR released the three victim

Summary

First published
November 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2–3 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS2916

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

According to local media, four civilians were killed and an unspecified number were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Saraqeb. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing the blame to Russian warplanes, while two others blamed the Syrian regime. The residential homes were hit in the evening, according

Summary

First published
January 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child3 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS361

LOCATION

أورم الجوز, Orme al Joz, Idlib, Syria

Up to four four non-combatants including two named children were killed – and four more children injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orme al Joz, according to The Shaam News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre. The Shaam News Network said that a raid by Russian planes killed “several” people and wounded others.  

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2–3 children1 man)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS3221

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that four civilians, three children and a woman, were killed due to alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Mesraba. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS3043

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Four civilians, including one girl, were killed along with several wounded as al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Like many parts of eastern Ghouta, aerial and artillery shelling intensified in Al Nashabiya in this

Summary

First published
February 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

November 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2738

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Between three and four civilians were killed, and as many as 11 were wounded in air and artillery strikes on the popular market and residential homes in Arbeen. Sources blamaed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to local sources, there were between seven and 13 raids on the vicinity which caused

Summary

First published
November 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child1 woman4 men)
Civilians reported injured
11
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS971

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

On July 5th 2016, alleged shelling by either Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes, killed up to four civilians. According to Step News and Al Jazeera there were no reported casualties, however Janoubia News reported one female casualty, and Halab Today named one male civilian casualty – yet the age is not specified. Further to this,

Summary

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

March 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS3199

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Four named civilian civilians were killed in airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods in Arbeen, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to @Dmcpress_ar, “warplanes with rockets carrying cluster bombs struck the residential neighbourhood in the city of Arbeen”. The Violations Documentation Centre, who blamed “Syrian government and affiliated

Summary

First published
March 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 men)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1179

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were injured in airstrikes on Arbin, according to sources on the ground. The majority of the sources blamed the Assad regime for the attack; none of the reports explicitly pointed to Russia, though a number didn’t identify the culprit. Smart reported that “regime warplanes

Summary

First published
August 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(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

September 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1277

LOCATION

الصالحية, Al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and four civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road outside al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Step News Agency – who put the death toll at one – stated that “Russian military warplanes launched several raids.” Other outlets, such as @DeirElzor24 and @so_ria98, did not name the responsible party,

Summary

First published
September 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1–2 children1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2314

LOCATION

رسم العوابد, Rasim Al-Awabid, Hama, Syria

An alleged Russian airstrike killed up to four civilians, including two children and wounded several as the village of Rasim Al-Awad in Hama was struck from the air, local media reported. Most sources reported the death of two male children. @AlkhaleejOnline’s correspondent reported that “two children were killed and a number of wounded in an air

Summary

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

Incident date

May 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3668

LOCATION

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and up to five, including a child, were wounded when alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes struck civilian homes and a health centre in the town of Al Zirba, south of Aleppo on May 6th, 2019. Smart News Agency reported that an unspecified number of civilians was killed

Summary

First published
May 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

May 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3705

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

In what was widely reported as regime airstrikes , three or four civilians including a child died and up to 20 more were wounded in Saraqeb on May 22nd, 2019. However, one source – Mohammed Galul – reported that Russia were also carrying out raids in the town. Mohamd Aslan joined the Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
May 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS404

LOCATION

عين ترما, A'ayn Turma, Damascus, Syria

Three to four civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes and/or shelling by the Assad regime, according to local sources. However, reports need further verification as half of them speak of Russian followed by regime shelling while the other half only mention regime shelling. Orient News published a video showing the aftermath of a alleged Russian

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(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

June 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3793

LOCATION

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians, including a woman, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the village of Mouqa, Idlib countryside, on June 13th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other civilian was injured. @HadiAlabdallah tweeted: “Four civilians, including a woman, were killed as a result of the missile strikes

Summary

First published
June 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 woman3 men)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
5 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

June 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS885

LOCATION

جعيدين, Jaideen, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple sources reported that one woman and three children were killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Jaideen. The Shaam News Network said that “Russian raids  targeted the town of Jai’deen leading to the death of four martyrs – a woman and three of her children”. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
June 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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

July 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1046

LOCATION

عربين, Irbin, Damascus, Syria

Four civilians including three children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Irbin in eastern Ghouta, local media reported – though the culprit remained unclear. According to Radio Al Kul, “Russian warplanes struck Douma, Harasta, Irbin and Hamoreya in Eastern Ghouta with missiles loaded with cluster bombs and killed four people and wounded tens more.”

Summary

First published
July 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2018

Incident Code

RS2893

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja in Jabal Al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Three to four civilians were reported killed and as many as ten civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Sarja. A woman was included in the injured, an a child was included in the death toll. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia fo the strikes. One source blamed an

Summary

First published
January 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–10
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, Unknown
View Incident