Russian Military in Syria

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

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

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS609

LOCATION

الحراك, Herak, Daraa, Syria

Six civilians including two children and one woman were killed and several others injured in airstrikes on Herak – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that five non-combatants – mostly children – died when Russian warplanes launched missiles on

Summary

First published
February 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 woman3 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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS641

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

One to two civilians including a child were killed in alleged Russian strikes with cluster bombs, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Violations Documentation Center named a three year old child as a victim. However, the White Helmets said that one man was killed and six other non-combatants injured when Russian

Summary

First published
February 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS673

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that Russia carried out an airstrike on Babis, killing several civilians and wounding more. Most reports did not mention deaths but said there had been a number of injured non-combatants, with Micro Syria reporting that “many” were wounded. Shahba put the number of injured at four.  

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS705

LOCATION

حلب, Aleppo, Syria

One adult civilian died and three children were reported wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo, according to local sources. The VDC named a victim as  Ahmad Abd al-Kareem al-Shaikh and blamed Russia. A Tweet by Ahat Watan said: “Young Ahmed Abdul Karim Sheikh, another martyr, God willing, was killed by the criminal Russian airstrike this

Summary

First published
March 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS737

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One civilian died in Talbisah while trying to defuse a Russian cluster bomb, according to multiple sources. Other reports said that both Russian strikes and regime artillery shelling killed a number of other civilians, though didn’t specify numbers. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Houssien Abdul Kareem Al Deheik, a 38-year-old trainer in

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS769

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In a major incident, multiple local sources reported that up to 58 civilians died and between 40 and 90 were injured in airstrikes on the MSF Al Quds hospital in Sukkari. Medical staff were among the casualties. Most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, though the White Helmets pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network

Summary

First published
April 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
58
(18 children4–10 women24–26 men)
Civilians reported injured
40–90
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
58 named, 6 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS802 CS214

LOCATION

الحمرات, Al Hamrat (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians (from the same family) including three children and one woman died in airstrikes on Al Hamrat according to local sources – though reports were confused with conflicting allegations that Russian, the regime or the Coalition had carried out the attacks. Qasioun said a Russian fighter targeted residential neighborhoods in the village, resulting in

Summary

First published
May 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS835

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians died in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. LCCSY put the death toll at two, blaming Russian vacuum missiles. Activists told the Shaam News Network that two warplanes hit Saraqib with six strikes using

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS867

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death

Summary

First published
June 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS899

LOCATION

حي ‫‏صلاح الدين, Salahudin (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians including a woman died and up to 17 more were injured in an airstrike on Salahudin, though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Orient, LCCSY, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Press Cente all blamed Russia. Ara News said that the regime was

Summary

First published
June 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–17
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS932

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One woman died and other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab city, Aleppo governorate, local sources reported. According to  LCCYS, “The Russian warplanes used internationally-banned phosphorous bombs and vacuum missiles on Bab city and Mahdoum in the eastern suburb, resulting in the death of one woman and injury of other people”.

Summary

First published
June 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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

July 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS965

LOCATION

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

Heavy shelling by warplanes was reported on the commercial market of Tareeq al Bab. Sources blamed either Russian and Syrian Regime warplanes, or both. Strikes reportedly killed between 12 and 30 civilians with “dozens injured.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the use of missiles and blamed the regime for the destruction. According to

Summary

First published
July 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 30
(7 children5 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–33
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
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS997

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One civilian male died and 10 or more others were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Sukkari neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Orient blamed Russian warplanes for using both missiles and cluster bombs, while both Smart

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1029

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, said that there were: “‪#‎Hama‬ martyrs and wounded reported due to targeting the township of ‪#‎Aqrabiyat‬ and the village of ‪#‎Soha‬ in the eastern suburbs with 5 Russian airstrikes.” However, further research indicated that there were no civilian casualties in Akeirbat, but up to seven in Soha on July 22nd (see

Summary

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

Incident date

July 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1061

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians including three children died and as many as 21 other non-combatants were wounded in an airstrike on Jisr al-Shughur in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, reporting: “Activists said Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
July 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20–21
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

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS569 RS1963

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians died and up to 16 others were wounded in an airstrike on Maskana, according to local sources – though field reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia. The Coalition later denied involvement. Syria News said that “According to activists,

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(0–2 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1291

LOCATION

ميادين, Mayadin, Al Masaken, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died and several others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin, according to local media – though it is unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. According to Euphrates Post, “The International Alliance launched several air raids around 7am targeting the Al Masaken area near the mosque of Othman bin

Summary

First published
July 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1498 RS2457

LOCATION

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 19
(7 children1 woman1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1078

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed and several others injured, including women and children, in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Marja, according to local sources. According to HNN Russian planes carried out several raids “leading to the death of three people and causing material damage”. The Shaam News Network reported that “activists said the

Summary

First published
August 1, 2016
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1110

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed and between three and four more were injured from an alleged barrel and missile bombing of a market in the neighborhood of Sukkari. Reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or Syrian regime were responsible. While the majority of sources reported deaths and injuries as a result of

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1142

LOCATION

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

One female civilian died in an air or artillery strike on Bustan al-Qaser, according to local media – though sources didn’t apportion blame for the attack. According to @HalabTodayTV, there were both “air and artillery strikes” on the area. @ShahbaPress reported that a girl was killed and “several” other civilians wounded.  

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 children0–1 women)
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1174

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians including two women died and up to 25 more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though a number didn’t specify which “warplanes” were responsible. One source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that barrel bombs were dropped on the town –

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–25
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1207

LOCATION

Souran, Hama, Syria

Up to 30 civilians including 11 children died in airstrikies on Souran, Al-Lataminah, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to Roiraqro and Wesal_TV 10 people from the same family died when their car was hit by a strike.

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 30
(11 children2 women1 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

September 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1239

LOCATION

ياقد العدس, Yaked al A'adas, Aleppo, Syria

One female child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Yaked al A’adas, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several did not identify the warplanes responsible for the event. According to reports the girl was originally from Aleppo.

Summary

First published
September 8, 2016
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1272

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Five named civilians including one child and a woman died and up to eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Talbissa, Homs, according to sources on the ground. Syria News Desk reported that “three young men were killed and five others wounded today after cluster bombs dropped

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–8
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

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1304

LOCATION

مارجا, Marja neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Marja neighbourhood, according to local media. LCCSY said Russia carried out strikes, though Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.”  

Summary

First published
September 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1336

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Bashr, Aleppo, Syria

According to local reports, between one and seven civilians were killed in airstrikes on the Busta al Basha neighbourhood of Aleppo. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, many didn’t apportion blame. The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) said that “explosive drums pounded the neighbourhood” – a weapon used by the regime;

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1368

LOCATION

تير معلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

One child, Abdulmalik al-Ahdab, was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala near Homs. Syria News Desk wrote that “A 15-year-old boy was killed and other civilians were wounded in the late hours of the night yesterday [Sept 29th] by the Russian warplanes targeting the village of Teir Ma’ala.” Most

Summary

First published
September 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1402

LOCATION

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Up to eight civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the city of al Zirba, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources said that the strikes only caused damage and no civilian harm. For example, the Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes shelled in Zirba in the southern western countryside of Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1434

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians including a woman and her baby or foetus were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Douma. RadioAlKul wrote: “More than 25 warplane raids in Douma in addition to extensive artillery shelling which killed two and wounded more than 30.” Bof-sy reported the lowest death count saying

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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