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

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1500

LOCATION

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that up to seven civilians – six of whom were named – including children and women died and dozens more were wounded in night-time airstrikes on Kafr Tkharim. The strikes reportedly hit a council building and a sports center. The majority of sources attributed this casualty event to Russia, though one report

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
20–24
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
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1634

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Up to 20 civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in air or and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though Syriansnews said that “Russia and Assad” had launched multiple strikes on Damascus, including Douma, on this day. Syrian Reporter said: “Our correspondent in al-Ghouta

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
August 12, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS1975

LOCATION

كفركرمين , Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that three civilians including a child were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Karmin. The Smart News put the number wounded at three, adding that this total included one child. Numerous other sources reported that Russia carried out the strikes – and published video footage of the aftermath.

Summary

First published
March 16, 2017
Last updated
January 31, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2020

Incident Code

RS4506

LOCATION

بليون, Balyon, Idlib, Syria

On June 9, 2020, alleged Russian air strikes on Baylon resulted in the deaths of two civilians, including a woman, with multiple sources stating that between four and eight civilians were injured, including several children between the ages of 4-14. Abdullah Ahmad al-Dani was reportedly killed by a strike on his home on June 9,

Summary

First published
June 9, 2020
Last updated
March 1, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
8
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2021

Incident Code

R4425

LOCATION

جامع قباء, Quba Mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A Russian forces army patrol reportedly killed a child with disabilities, Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, 17 or 16 years old, by gunfire, in the Al Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021, in the evening. Euphrates reported that Abdul Al-Hajar was sitting next to the “Quba Mosque” and that the “patrolmen treated him

Summary

First published
December 9, 2021
Last updated
March 17, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Incident Code

R4461

LOCATION

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

At least two people were killed and between one and two others were injured when a previous shelling remnant exploded in the town of Kansafra, south of Idlib on the 16th of August 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two people were killed and another was injured. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
August 16, 2022
Last updated
September 7, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2023

Incident Code

R4501

LOCATION

عين عيسى, Ain Issa, Raqqa, Syria

A 15 year old child was injured by an alleged Russian military vehicle in the city of Ain Issa in Raqqa on January 28, 2023. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a 15 year old child was seriously injured when a Russian military vehicle ran the child over on the Main Street

Summary

First published
January 28, 2023
Last updated
March 1, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Accidents related to conflict
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

August 16, 2023

Incident Code

R4539

LOCATION

Maaret Al Nassan, Aleppo, Syria

On August 16th, 2023, at least one civilian was injured in shelling allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces in the Syrian village of Maarat Al-Nassan. The Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) reported that a civilian was injured by artillery shelling carried out by the Syrian regime and Russian forces, adding that their

Summary

First published
August 16, 2023
Last updated
August 22, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2023

Incident Code

R4559

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

On the night of September 23, 2023, in Sarmin, Idlib, an incident with contested responsibility—reportedly either by Syrian regime forces or the Russian military—struck an agricultural area, injuring a civilian man, which was confirmed by multiple sources including the White Helmets organization. The civilian injured was reportedly a farmer who was picking figs in a

Summary

First published
September 23, 2023
Last updated
February 7, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Incident Code

R4609

LOCATION

قرية القنيطرة, Al Qunitra, west of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Shortly before 11 AM on Saturday, October 21st, 2023, a female child was injured in an airstrike reportedly perpetrated by the Russian military forces in the Al Qunitra village west of Idlib, Syria. According to Orient News, the Russian military used vacuum bombs during the strike. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a girl was

Summary

First published
October 21, 2023
Last updated
June 28, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Incident Code

RS019

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo. According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and

Summary

First published
October 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 17
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS051

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets reported that three children were killed in the countryside near Damascus following a ‘Russian airstrike.’ Al Etihad said the aircraft was a Russian Air Force Su-24. VDC named the children without specifying which nation’s aircraft were responsible. . However Shaam News described the attack as having been the work of the Syrian

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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

October 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS084

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

A civilian neighbourhood was targeted in Ltamenah – allegedly by Russia – which killed approximately 10 civilians. According to Shaam “10 civilians (three of them from one family) were killed, and five wounded, as a result of Russian aircraft targeting civilian homes with vacuum missiles.” Violations Documentation Center later named Khaled Abdulhameed al-Jahem as having

Summary

First published
October 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(2 children1 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS117

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 34 civilians were reported killed including a woman and a child, and 50 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, according to multiple sources. Al A’maq [close to Daesh] claimed there were 26 strikes by Russian warplanes which caused 10 deaths, including two women. They claimed that the city’s general hospital was targeted, along with

Summary

First published
November 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 34
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
50
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
30 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS152

LOCATION

التمانعة, At Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed, and two men travelling with her badly injured when alleged Russian warplanes struck a car carrying displaced people on the road leading to Al Tamaanah in Idlib governorate. One of the men may later have died. Smart News has published an interview with an eyewitness: “At 09:30 this morning exactly an

Summary

First published
November 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman)
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

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS185

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

Two named civilians were killed in an alleged Russian and also claimed that the Assad regime was responsible for the attack on Da’ara Street in Nawa, Da’ara governorate. The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the two victims, and they were both from Kafr Shams.

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS217

LOCATION

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria

Three civilians, including two women and one child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maheen according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
February 24, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS250

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Up to nine civilians were killed, including six children, and 14 more people wounded including a woman, in airstrikes and ground assaults on Al Nashabiya. According to Shaam News the civilian deaths were a result of “violent attacks” by Russian warplanes and Assad’s forces. Activists published images showing the bodies of children who had “been broken in pieces by

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(5–6 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS282

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, named as Khaled Iyad al-Khaled, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
December 15, 2015
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

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS315

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

One to two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij, according to the Violations Documentation Center. It named one adult male, Osama al-Halak, as killed due to “Russian airforce shelling in Manbij.” An additional male child, Mustafa Ghazal, is also listed as a victim of a Russian strike in Aleppo on December 25th,

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS347

LOCATION

حزة, Hazzah, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hazzah village near Kafr Batna. Two victims were named by the VDC as having died at Kafr Batna itself, though all other sources placed their deaths at Hazzah. The VDC also listed two  unnamed members of the al Sadiq family as having died in

Summary

First published
January 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS379

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Four to five civilians including four women and one child were killed in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to multiple reports. While most sources blame Russia for the attack, others claim the Assad regime was responsible. Shaam News said Russian forces carried out a “massacre” in which five non-combatants including children died. It reported that this was

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(0–1 children4 women)
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

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS411

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

33 to 42 civilians including five to eight children were killed – and 35 others injured – in airstrikes on Ar Raqqah, according to multiple sources. All sources allege that Russia carried out the attacks, except for the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights who do not say who was responsible.  The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes carried out

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33 – 42
(5–8 children)
Civilians reported injured
35
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS444

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named two adult male civilians as killed “as a result of the explosion of remnants of a missile from Russian shelling“, however in the notes of Abdul Naser Younes al-Khattab there is a video of the victim entitled ‘the Jihadist  Abdul Naser Younes Al khattab in one of the field hospitals in the Hama countryside’,

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS477

LOCATION

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the number killed in raids carried out by “several warplanes believed to be Russian” on neighborhoods in Deir ez-Zor had risen to 27. They said this included three children and nine women. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently published several reports on the incident in which they said that Russia

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 32
(3 children9 women)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
32 named, 8 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS510

LOCATION

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 18 and 20 civilians including seven women and six children were killed and 14 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hissan, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that a “massacre” by “suspected Russian warplanes” killed 18 non-combatants, including six women and seven children, but a subsequent

Summary

First published
January 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 20
(5–7 children4–7 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
14–35
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
16 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS545

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

The Shaam News Network, reported that five non-combatants died in Fardous as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo” on Thursday February 4th. The Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes carried out “a number of raids on Al Mashhad and al Ferdous in the city of Aleppo, which resulted in the death

Summary

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

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS578

LOCATION

مارع, Mare', Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one woman died and ten others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mare’ according to local sources. The Violations Documentation Center named two adult males and one adult female as killed in a Russian airstrike on Mare’. The White Helmets said warplanes targeted the town with a vacuum missile, injuring

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman2 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS611

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta” leading to the death of one civilian in Al Nashabiya. Abu-Muaz Al Dumi also blamed Russia.

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS643

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maskanah, according to local sources. The Violations Documentation Center listed two unidentified male children as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maskanah. Syria News Desk reported that “two children from the same family died and four wounded in a Russian airstrikes which also caused the

Summary

First published
February 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
View Incident