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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3151

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

An entire family was reportedly burned to death due to a napalm bomb attack on Mesraba, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Sky News reported on “injury to civilians [including] burns and wounds, and that the shelling of the town occurred at midnight and repeated in the morning”. @Dmcpress_ar 

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3150

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed and several others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes for the raids. Mohamad Al Shaar, who named the civilians, reported that Ibrahim Far’oun (Al Harb), aged 18, was Al Mujahed (fighter). This suggests he

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–2 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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3147

LOCATION

المحمدية, Al Muhammadiya , Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Muhammadiya, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian for the raids. Barrel bombs, helicopters and artillery targeted a residential neighbourhood, according to local media. According to local media, a child and three adult

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3138

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media. Step News Agency reported that “in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 14
(2 women8 men)
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
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3144

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

A young man was killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, according to social media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. Sources were conflicted as to whether the young man was a civilian or a non-civilian. VDC reported that he was a non-civilian, however all other sources reported he was a civilian. According to local

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(0–1 men)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3146

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded due to airstrikes in Kafar Zita. Sources did not attribute blame, however this raid occurred at the same time as the allegedly join Russian and Syrian regime raid on “village of Hawija, west of Hama, Latmeen Village north of Hama, and the cities of Al Latamna and Kafarzita”.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3145

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamna, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians was wounded and three were killed due to air and artillery strikes on Al Latamna, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Although Smart News reported that the aftermath was limited to material damage, Step News reported that some civilians were wounded

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3143

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Dear Al Asafir, Damascus, Syria

Two civilians were reported to have been killed in airstrikes by both the Syrian regime and Russia. Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report on this raid. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3142

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in napalm bomb strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, however the majority of source attributed blame to the Syrian regime. Huge fires were caused as a result of the

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(2 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3141

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

As many as four civilians were reported as killed, and others injured, due to air and artillery strikes in Beit Sawa, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. The raids struck a residential area, and killed as many as three children. The Syrian Civil Defence reported “three

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2–3 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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3140

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed and “others” were wounded, in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. The named civilian was reported to have been displaced. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3139

LOCATION

الحويجة, Al Hwaija, Hama, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed – including a pregnant woman – and three others were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Hwaija, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes. A man and a pregnant woman were included in the death toll. However, the man named by

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 woman0–1 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3137

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Several civilians were left wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes in Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local sources reported. Douma.Revolution, who did not mention civilian harm reported: “since the morning, 12 warplanes have carried out air raids against the cities and towns of Douma, Arbeen, Kafratna, Hamuriya, Beit Siy, Jisreen, Ash’ari and Marj in the eastern Ghouta.”

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3136

LOCATION

المرج, al-Marj, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and up to “dozens” were wounded as airstrikes hit al-Marj, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. Three of the victims, Saleh Mohammad Qadeesh, Mohamad Adnan Qadeesh and Nidhal Handhal al-Mehbash were reported by several sources, including Violations Documentation Center (VDC). One of the victims, Abdo Ahmed Hassoun, was only

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4–5 men)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3135

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported the death of three civilian men in the town of Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, following airstrikes, either carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime or both. As a part of a larger aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta on March 1st, three civilians, identified by name, were killed in Hamouriya. However, it should

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3134

LOCATION

كفربطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians, including a young girl, were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. @saqbani1972adam, who reported that the strikes hit residential areas, said that three were killed and “dozens” were left wounded. The three victims were identified by

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child2–3 men)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3133

LOCATION

بيت سوى , Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly killed along with two wounded as Russian and/or Assad launched airstrikes and artillery shelling in the town of Beit Sawa, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. All sources reported the death of three civilians. The Violations Documentation Centre (VDC) reported that the three victims were all adult men. Additionally, sources reported

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3132

LOCATION

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Warplanes, alleged to be Russian, wounded an unspecified number civilians as the town of Jisreen, Damascus, was struck with airstrikes. Only two known sources reported about this strike. Smart News Agency reported, “wounded civilians with aerial bombardment likely to be Russian on the towns of Jisreen and Beat Sawa and Kafar Batna east of Damascus.” Meanwhile,

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3131

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

A single source reported “heavy air raids by Russian warplanes on the cities of Harasta and Zamalka in the eastern Ghouta, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3130

LOCATION

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes in Kafar Batna, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3129

LOCATION

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes in Al Shifonya, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3128

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes in Mesraba, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3127

LOCATION

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

The head of the Syrian Civil Defence unit in al-Marj was killed whilst carrying out operations, local media reported. Sources blamed the Syrian – Russian alliance for the strikes. LCCSY reported there were heavy raids on the vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3126

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

A child and another civilian were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources blame Russian and Syrian regime raids for the strikes. There were as many as 32 raids, with heavy shelling on the residential vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3125

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

As many as eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. A child was amongst those killed, as well as one unidentified body. Four others are named. Rockets and barrel bombs were launched into

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3124

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed and others were injured in airstrikes on Beit Sawa, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. The house of ‘Asi’ was reportedly struck by alleged Russian warplanes. Two victims were named and one unidentified civilian was named. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3123

LOCATION

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

Between three and six civilians were killed in an alleged napalm bomb attack on Al Shifonya, local media reported. Civilians blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Members of the Syrian Civi Defence confined that “chloride gas” was used on the vicinity. Most other reports suggest it was napalm which resulted in the charring of bodies

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2018

Incident Code

RS3122

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and others were injured in air and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Sources reported that there were both rocket launchers and artillery shelling on the residential neighbourhood. Alaraby reported that “the regime renewed it’s shelling

Summary

First published
February 27, 2018
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2018

Incident Code

RS3121

LOCATION

اوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

One child was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Otaya, local media reported. All sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence were seen to be rescuing victims from the rubble. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 26, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

March 25, 2018

Incident Code

RS3117

LOCATION

اوتيا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

A single source reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on Otaya, local media reported. The source blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Activists said the “raids were accompanied by rocket and artillery bombardment and the explosive barrel of the regime’s forces.”

Summary

First published
February 25, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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