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 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3001

LOCATION

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria

In this event, described by many as a “massacre”, up to 27 civilians, including children and women, were killed and dozens were wounded as the city of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to heavy aerial shelling, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime. Some sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 27
(4–6 children2 women1 man)
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
15 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3005

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

As many as six civilians, including one child, were killed and up to dozens were wounded as alleged Russian and/or Assad warplanes launched a series of air raids in Hamouriya in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strike, described by Local Coordination Committees of Syria, as “heavy night raids” hit a popular market and

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1 child)
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3006

LOCATION

حزة , Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Between one and four civilians were killed and several were left wounded as Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes hit Hazza in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. In this poorly reported incident, some sources mentioned one fatality along with two wounded. As the only one, Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) put the death toll at four.

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3007

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed and another three children were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out airstrikes in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, local media reported. The raids were reportedly launched in the centre of the village, and according to locals on the ground, cited by Smart News

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(0–1 children1 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

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS2998

LOCATION

اللطامنة , Lataminah, Hama, Syria

According to local media, three civilians were wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime carried out aerial and artillery strikes in Lataminah, Hama. A civil defence member told Smart News Agency that what he believed was Russian warplanes had launched four air raids while the Assad regime had launched 40 artillery and missile shells. Both Smart

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3002

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes carried out airstrikes in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, killing between four and eight civilians, including one woman and one child, as well as wounding several others, local media reported. Reports mentioned heavy shelling in several parts of eastern Ghouta around February 8th, 2018, including the shelling of Douma. The

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(1 child1 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2994

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

According to local sources, two civilians were killed and several were wounded, as alleged Russian or other, unknown warplanes struck Saraqeb, Idlib. All sources reported that aerial shelling has caused civilian harm, at least two killed and several wounded. For example, Edlib Media Center (EMC) reported: “two civilians were killed by the Russian occupation aircraft

Summary

First published
February 7, 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
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 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2995

LOCATION

معرة النعمان , Marat Al Numan, Idlib, Syria

At least six and as many as 12 civilians, including one woman, were killed and up to 30 were wounded as Marat Al Numan, Idlib, was subject to heavy aerial bombardment, possibly including the use of cluster bombs, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. In this widely-reported incident,

Summary

First published
February 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 12
(1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–30
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
9 named
Belligerents reported killed
3–6
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2990

LOCATION

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

At least three and as many as nine civilians were killed and one child was wounded, following aerial and possible missile shelling of Hazza, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, according to local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. According to local reports, the incident in Hazza was

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
Civilians reported injured
1
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 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2984

LOCATION

جوبر, Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Between two and six civilians were killed as Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck the town of Jobar, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Jobar was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. In Jobar, most sources reported the death of two civilians, while Local Coordination Committees

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2991

LOCATION

مديرا, Mdyra, Damascus, Syria

Up to four civilians, including up to two children and one woman, were killed following alleged Assad or Russian-waged aerial shelling and/or missile attacks of Mdyra, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Mdyra was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to the Syrian Observatory

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–2 children1 woman)
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 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2992

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Between two and four civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed and at least one child was wounded following alleged Assad or Russian-waged aerial shelling of Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Saqba was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
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 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2985

LOCATION

دوما, Douma , Damascus, Syria

In this incident, described by many sources as a “massacre”, up to 31 civilians, including up to eight children and 11 women, were killed and “dozens” wounded, as Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus. According to local reports, the incident in Douma was one out of many that day

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 31
(4–8 children1–11 women)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2981

LOCATION

الغدفة, Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria

A volunteer of the Syrian Civil Defense was killed as he was on duty in Ghadafa, Idlib, local media and family members reported. The victim, Ahmed Ali Al-Mustafa, and his Civil Defense team were reportedly inspecting a bombing site when the strike took place. The victim’s brother wrote on his Twitter account, Apdlrahmah, about the death of

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
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
Unknown, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2980

LOCATION

ترملا , Tarmala, Idlib, Syria

At least two and as many as four civilians were killed, including one child, while several others were left wounded as alleged Russain warplanes struck the al Shamali neighbourhood in Tarmala village, Idlib, local media reported. Up to four civilians were killed in this incident, where all sources unanimously attributed blame to Russia. While Syrian Network

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2986

LOCATION

كفر باتنة, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Between four and seven civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed and up to 80 more civilians were wounded as Russian and/or Assad warplanes struck the town of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Kafr Batna was one of many lethal aerial incidents on

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–80
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 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2982

LOCATION

آفس, Afis, Idlib, Syria

According to local sources, a child was killed in Afis, Idlib, as alleged Russain warplanes struck the town. Step News Agency reported that “the Russian military launched successive raids” mentioning several locations, including Afis, and that it caused the death of one child. Unlike other sources, Step News Agency, wrote on February 6th that the

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2993

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

One civilian, allegedly a child, was killed by an Assad or Russian waged assault in the town of Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Harasta was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), this was the

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2983

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

At least three and as many as 13 civilians, including two women, were killed and “dozens” others wounded, local media reported after the city of Arbeen, Damascus, was subject to air and artillery strikes. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The incident, described as a

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 13
(2 women)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2987

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

The town of Mesraba, Damascus, was hit by an airstrike that killed between one and five civilians, including two children and at least one women, and wounded several others, local media reported. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. According to local reports, the incident in Mesraba was one out

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(2–3 children1–2 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2988

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians, including a child and woman, were killed and “many” wounded following Assad or Russian-waged aerial shelling of Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Hamouriya was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR),

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 child1 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2989

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria

As many as seven civilians, including a child and three women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded following Assad or Russian-waged aerial shelling of Zamalaka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local sources reported. According to local reports, the incident in Zamalaka was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(1 child1–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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

February 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2981

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

In this single source event, Edlib Media Center reported: “a civilian is wounded as a result of the targeting of the Russian occupation aircraft in residential neighbourhoods in the city of Saraqeb in eastern Idlib.” Currently, there are no further details availble.

Summary

First published
February 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2978

LOCATION

مرديخ, Mardkikh, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged Russian airstrikes destroyed public facilities and possibly wounded two civilians as the town of Mardkikh in Idlib was subject to aerial shelling. Smart News Agency reported how “warplanes likely to be Russian launched raids on the town, one of which hit the house, causing great damage and injury to civilians.”

Summary

First published
February 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
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 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2979

LOCATION

الغوطة, al-Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

The local media platform, Local Coordination Committees of Syria, reported that as many as 32 civilians were killed by both Russian and Assad-waged airstrikes and artillery in various towns of eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Initially, the source reported that 14 civilians were killed as Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, along with artillery shelling, struck the towns

Summary

First published
February 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
32
Civilians reported injured
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS2972

LOCATION

التليل‎ ,سراقب, Al Talil neighbourhood, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

A chlorine gas assault in Saraqeb, Idlib by the Syrian regime – possibly with Russian support – wounded multiple civilians including children according to local reports, with most victims suffering breathing difficulties. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that two barrel bombs were used in this attack. “At least 11 civilians, including three civil

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
9–24
Cause of injury / death
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
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 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS2973

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Russian airstrike, described as a “massacre”, hit a five-story building in Idlib, killing up to 12 civilians, including children and women, most from the same family and wounded as many as 25, local media reported. Euphrates Post described how “raids by Russian warplanes targeted the city by several air strikes, which led to the

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 12
(5–6 children4–5 women)
Civilians reported injured
21–25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS2974

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed up to nine civilians, including at least one child and one woman, and wounded up to ten more in the city of Kafr Nabil, local sources reported. The Syria Civil Defense, who were present on the scene following the incident, reported that the strike killed six and wounded more than ten.

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS2975

LOCATION

معصران, Ma'asaran, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven civilians, including up to five children and one woman – possibly from the same family – were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes were launched in the village of Ma’asaran, Idlib, local media reported. In this incident, local sources reports’ spanned from one to as many as seven

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1–5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS2976

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged Russian airstrikes wounded one civilian in Kafr Zeita, Hama. While most sources merely reported that Russian warplanes had carried out air raids in the area, Smart News Agency and Khaleej mentioned that the strikes had inflicted civilian harm. Smart News Agency specified that one civilian was wounded.  

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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