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

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS365

LOCATION

عنجارة, Anjara, Aleppo, Syria

Between 15 and 30 civilians including six women and at least five children were killed – and dozens more people injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting schools in Anjara, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that warplanes believed to be Russian struck the Mustafa Ruston elementary school in the

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 30
(5–12 children5–6 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
24
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
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS397

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian strike in Palmyra when the car he was driving was hit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several intense raids which targeted areas in “al-Qaryatayn city in the southeastern countryside of Homs and other areas in the

Summary

First published
January 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS429

LOCATION

الخريطة, Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Seven civilians including one woman and four children were killed and dozens more injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Khareeta, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that five died (one man and four children) when Russian warplanes struck the village. All4Syria, also said a family of

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
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, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS463

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Between eight and nine civilians including one woman were killed and nine others injured in airstrikes on a popular market in Ariha, according to local sources. While three of the sources blame Russia for the attack, a fourth (the Syrian Network for Human Rights) says that the Assad regime were responsible. Activist told the Shaam News Network that Russian

Summary

First published
January 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(1 woman8 men)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS495

LOCATION

معرسته الخان, Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

One person was killed and three injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on civilian vehicles on the Ma’arasta al Khan road. According to Halab Today, cluster rockets were used in the attack.  

Summary

First published
January 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS531

LOCATION

العلقمية, Al A'alkamiyah, Aleppo, Syria

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al A’alkamiyah, according to multiple local sources. The two victims were named as Riad Jamil Ismail Deebo and Khaled Eido by the VDC, Damascus Center for Human Rights, Halab News and Elsouriya Lil E’elam,  

Summary

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

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS564

LOCATION

البوعمر, Al Buomar, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One adult male civilian, Naji al Izbeh, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buomar, according to the Violations Documentation Center and other local sources – though there is some confusion among sources as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. In an initial tweet, LCCSY said this was a strike by the

Summary

First published
February 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS597

LOCATION

داعل, Da'el, Daraa, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Da’el, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Step News Agency, Russian warplanes carried out a raid on Da’el, killing one civilian and injuring a number

Summary

First published
February 12, 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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS629

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named another civilian male from Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa as a victim of “Russian air forces shelling” in Aleppo. The victim was additionally named by Syria Martrys, which also blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS661

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Between 8 and 15 civilians including one woman and one to two children died – and dozens more were injured – in airstrikes on a market in Ariha, according to multiple local sources. Reports are conflicted as to whether the attacks were carried out by Russia or the Assad regime, with one source saying that

Summary

First published
February 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 15
(1–2 children1 woman0–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS693

LOCATION

جمعية الهادي, Jamiyat al Hadi, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 13 civilians including three or four children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jamiyat al Hadi and Babis, according to multiple local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven civilians including three women and four children were killed in an aerial bombardment, adding that there were reports of five others

Summary

First published
February 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 13
(4 children2–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS725

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

According to the Shaam News Network: “four people were killed when Russian enemy planes targeted a civilian transport vehicle on the road from Palmyra to Deir Ezzor.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that “four people were killed from the same family when the Russian warplane targeted their truck (which is a refrigerated

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS757

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Multiple sources reported that up to 16 people died in airstrikes in Aleppo city. While some blamed Russia, others said the regime or armed rebel groups were responsible. LCCSY said one man was killed and five injured after Russian planes targeted the neighborhood with two dawn raids. Q0wyy also blamed Russia and reported that “Russian

Summary

First published
April 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 16
(7 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–12
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
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS790

LOCATION

حي البلليرمون, Al Baleirmoon neighbourhood (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that up to six people, including two women and two children, had died in shelling on Al Baleirmoon neighbourhood. Reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Egypt News said that “a man, a woman and her daughter were killed due to warplane shelling in Al Baleirmoon.” Multiple

Summary

First published
May 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

May 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS822

LOCATION

الكوم, Al Kom, Homs, Syria

According to multiple local sources, Russian or regime airstrikes took place in Al Kom near the ancient city of Palmyra – killing at least five non-combatants. . The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at seven non-combatants, including two women and two children. Al Jisr also blamed the regime.

Summary

First published
May 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 children2 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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS855

LOCATION

هورة الجريات, Horat al Jariyat, Raqqa, Syria

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, two civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Horat al Jariya. The Shaam News Network also blamed Russia, but did not provide casualty numbers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

Summary

First published
June 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS887

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight non-combatants including two children, a woman and a member of the White Helmets died and dozens more were injured in raids on Orm al Kubra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported that four civilians including

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(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
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS919

LOCATION

الأبزيمو, Al Ibzimo, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple sources reported the death of five children in Al Ibzimo town, Aleppo, though the highest number recorded dead is eight civilians in a article by futureTv news. Most sources blamed Russia, though there was also an allegations against the Assad regime. Both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Shaam News Network said Russia

Summary

First published
June 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(5–7 children1 woman)
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

June 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS953

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Local sources reported airstrikes targeted the Palestinian refugee camp Khan al-Sheikh, leading to the death of at least six civilians including one child and one woman. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the attacks. The highest death toll was given by Radar News, who reported eight

Summary

First published
June 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(1 child1 woman)
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS985

LOCATION

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, reported that “Russian warplanes launched heavy airstrikes on the outskirts of Castillo Road which led to the martyrdom of four civilians we they were attempting to get out of the city.” According to LCCSY this falls in the same context as the airstrikes on “Kafarnaha and Bashantra towns in the Western

Summary

First published
July 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1017

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Various sources reported that airstrikes on a residential area in Kafr Hama, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians, including one boy. BBC Arabic filed a report which read, “according to opposition source, Russian warplanes launched extensive shelling in Kafr Hamra”. Meanwhile, al Jazeera reported that both Russian and Assad regime warplanes were launching missiles in the

Summary

First published
July 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1049

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, reported that “Russian warplanes targeted Deir Hafer, Haritan and Anadan cities and Kafr Hamra and Maarat Arteeq towns in the northern suburbs [of Aleppo] with vacuum and cluster missiles, which led to casualties among civilians.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
July 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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