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

July 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1050

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 20 civilians died in Al Mashad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether they were killed by Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime barrel bombs. Alaraby, blaming Russia, put the death toll at five non-combatants, with a dozen more wounded. But Syria News Desk said that as many as

Summary

First published
July 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1236 RS2350

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. There were no reports of injured civilians. @eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed

Summary

First published
July 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 22
(5–11 children2–4 women1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
13 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1483 RS2441

LOCATION

خشام, Kisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten to 12 civilians, mostly children and women, were reported killed following alleged airstrikes on Khishham, 15 km southeast of Deir Ezzor. The majority of sources accused Russian warplanes of committing the offence. However both the Regime and the US-led Coalition were also mentioned in reporting. Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes used “cluster

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(9–10 children1–2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1666 RS2697

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians including two brothers died in airstrikes on al Subha, local media said – though it was unclear who was responsible. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the US-led Coalition. According to Al Sharq News “intense” raids by the Coalition were occurring in the area. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
November 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1099

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an aerial bombardment of a school and neighbourhood in Al Atareb, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported that Russian warplanes and government helicopters were sighted in the vicinity – and that

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1131

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Another hospital was reportedly struck on 12th August 2016. At least 12 civilians including four women and between eight and ten children died, and up to 15 more were injured, in five air raids launched against the town of Hayyan, according to sources on the ground. The children’s hospital was reportedly destroyed by the airstrikes,

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 14
(8–10 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
7–15
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1163

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians including one child died in a casualty event in the Al Slaheen neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. According to Syria News Desk: “seven civilians were killed and five wounded in the Al Salheen neighbourhood

Summary

First published
August 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1196

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Tabqaqa, Raqqa, Syria

Up to three civilians died and 30 more were injured in alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tabqaqa, local media reported. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – who later blamed Russia – “three people died and more than 30 were injured raids by warplanes on a carpet factory in the city of Tabaqa”. The

Summary

First published
August 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1228

LOCATION

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hor town, local media reported. According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hor town in the western suburbs with led to the fall of four civilian martyrs

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1260

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

According to Syria News Desk, “seven civilians were killed and dozens wounded in an initial toll following Russian warplane shelling on a vegetable market in al Ferdos neighbourhood in the centre of Aleppo city.” LCCSY also reported that Russia shelled al Ferdos, but made no mention of civilian harm.  

Summary

First published
September 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1293

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between four and five civilians died in the al Sukkari neighbourhood of Aleppo when a six-storey residential building was destroyed, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russian airstrike or regime artillery or helicopters were to blame. Several sources alleged that Russian used phosphorus bombs in the attack.

Summary

First published
September 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1325

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between 10 and 15 civilians including at least one child died and 20 more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Kallassah neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources blamed both raids by Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters, which reportedly caused widespread destruction and left people trapped under the rubble. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
(1 child2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1357

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and two civilians were reportedly killed and six more wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Hamra north of Aleppo. Step News Agency reported: “Two people were killed and six injured following Russian raids on Kafr Hamra in the northern Aleppo countryside.” LCCSY reported that only one civilian was killed. Ghada12180130

Summary

First published
September 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1390

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported that air or artillery strikes hit the suburb of Damascus, Khan al-Sheikh which led to the death of at least two civilian men and injury of several more people. The strikes allegedly struck a Palestinian refugee camp. One source claimed that a school in the area was also struck. The news site

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1423

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

One woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Idlib, according to sources on the ground. The Twitter account Maaramc12 reported that “there was an unidentified female martyr and 20 wounded in Idlib as a result of three Russian raids in Idlib”. Other sources,

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1455

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two or three civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. LCCSY put the death toll at two, though the Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights were among the majority of sources saying that at

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
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

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1487

LOCATION

Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Two civilian males died and at least two more were wounded – including members of the White Helmets – in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. @syriapost1 was among several sources pointing to Russia

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

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

January 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS1815

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed, inducing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and up to three civilians were wounded, following an alleged Russian and or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed

Summary

First published
January 3, 2017
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

July 20, 2019

Incident Code

R3705

LOCATION

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Syrian and Russian forces carried out airstrikes on several locations in Idlib with high-impact rockets. According to Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene reported that “eight civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured by the targeting of the towns of Kansafra, Balyoun and Jabal al-Arba’een in the countryside of Idlib”.

Summary

First published
July 20, 2019
Last updated
June 20, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–8
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2020

Incident Code

RS4526

LOCATION

الرامي, Al Rami, Idlib, Syria

A child was reported killed and between three and six civilians, including up to three children, a woman and a man, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on residential areas in the village of Al Rami in the southern Idlib countryside on October 21, 2020. Regarding civilian harm, a correspondent of Resala post reported that

Summary

First published
October 21, 2020
Last updated
March 2, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3–6
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2022

Incident Code

R4452

LOCATION

شنان, Shanan village, Idlib, Syria

One child was injured as a result of artillery shelling by Russian or Syrian regime action targeting the village of Shanan, south of Idlib on Sunday 24th July 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that they took the injured child to hospital for treatment and that he was injured “lightly”.

Summary

First published
July 25, 2022
Last updated
July 29, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

November 3, 2022

Incident Code

R4483

LOCATION

خربة الناطور, Kharebt Al Natour, Idlib, Syria

On November 3rd 2022, two to three civilians, including two young men and a woman, were reportedly olive picking when they were injured by a land to ground missile, loaded with “internationally prohibited cluster bombs” as a result of alleged Syrian regime or Russian action.  The attack happened on forests and farms on the Khirbet

Summary

First published
November 3, 2022
Last updated
November 9, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2023

Incident Code

R4524

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and five civilians, including four children, were injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian shelling of Darat Izza on July 4, 2023. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four children were injured to varying degrees by regime shelling, coinciding with the flight of Russian reconnaissance aircraft, on the outskirts of the

Summary

First published
July 4, 2023
Last updated
July 11, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Incident Code

R4570

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

On 5 October 2023, intense artillery and missile bombardments allegedly by the Syrian regime and/or Russian Military caused the death of at least one civilian and the injury of 14 civilians, including 4 children and 3 women, in the city of Ariha (Jericho). A Facebook post from local source “Jericho, the bride of the north”

Summary

First published
October 5, 2023
Last updated
February 9, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
8–14
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Incident Code

R4593

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Saturday, October 7th 2023, one civilian was killed and ten civilians, including two children (one boy) with serious injuries, were wounded by an alleged artillery attack by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime and/or Iranian forces. Reportedly, Mustafa Wadah Ghandoura was killed; Anwar Eido Al Deek, Abdulqader, Samer Ahmed and Mohammed Imad Qar’iya were among the

Summary

First published
October 7, 2023
Last updated
April 4, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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
Named victims
5 named
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