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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2969

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

On February 3, 2018, up to five civilians were killed and several more were left wounded following alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrikes in Saraqeb, Idlib, local media reported. Saraqeb had reportedly been subject to several aerial attacks in the previous days and local activists told al-Araby that “the city is being burned by intensive

Summary

First published
February 3, 2018
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2
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

February 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2968

LOCATION

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria

A family of seven; a father, a mother and five children, were killed and the sixth sibling was left seriously wounded, local media reported, following aerial shelling of Ma’saran, Idlib, though sources were unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Most sources reported that the event had killed a family of

Summary

First published
February 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman1 man)
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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2971

LOCATION

كفر عميم, Kafr Amam, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Russian warplane carried out airstrikes in the village of Kafr Amam, Idlib, local media reported, which, according to one source, wounded three civilians. Several sources reported how the village of Kafr Amam was hit by, which all sources, identified, Russian forces. The Twitter account Shafii cited the local council who declared the village completely

Summary

First published
February 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2967

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airstrikes and/or artillery shelling in Kafr Halap, Aleppo, killed two civilian men along with wounding several more, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Two civilian men, identified by name, were reportedly killed by the assault in Kafr Halab. Jsirtv attributed blame to “aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
February 2, 2018
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 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2966

LOCATION

حدية, Hadya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as seven civilians, including one child, were killed an up to “dozens” more were wounded, local media reported, following alleged Russia or Assad-waged airstrikes on a road near Hadya, Aleppo. Smart News Agency quoted activists who said that “warplanes likely to be Russian bombed vehicles on a road in the vicinity of Tal

Summary

First published
February 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(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
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2965

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were wounded in the city of Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib, either due to airstrikes, carried out by Russia, or artillery attack, carried out by the Syrian regime, local media reported. Smart News Agency quoted activists who said that “warplanes likely to be Russian launched four raids on the city of Jisr al-Shughour”, leaving three

Summary

First published
February 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2964

LOCATION

الغدفة, Al-Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed and several others injured as aerial and/or artillery shelling hit the town of Al-Ghadafa, Idlib, local media reported – though it was unclear how to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Both Smart News Agency and Step News Agency reported that strikes believed to have been carried out

Summary

First published
February 2, 2018
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2963

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbooda, Hama, Syria

Between five and 11 civilians, including children and one woman, were killed and at least three were seriously injured following alleged Russian airstrikes striking in Kafr Nbooda, Hama, local media reported. HalabTodayTV, who placed the death toll at eight, said that all eight fatalities were all from the same family, including three children, one woman

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 11
(1–3 children1 woman4 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2962

LOCATION

الخواري, Al-Khawari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In this single-source event, Al Latamna Youth Group reported that alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Al-Khawari, Aleppo, resulting in “martyrs and wounded civilians”. Currently, no further information is available.

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
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

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2961

LOCATION

تل النباريز, Tal Al Nabariz , Aleppo, Syria

In this single-source event, Smart News Agency reported that an alleged Russian airstrike caused “a number of wounded” as Tal Al Nabariz, Aleppo, was struck from the air. The report added that the Civil Defense members had been on the scene to help the wounded. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2960

LOCATION

اباد, Abad, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 12 civilians including children and one woman were killed and several more wounded, local media reported, following aerial shelling of Abad, Aleppo, allegedly carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. According to local reports, at least five and as many as 12 civilians were killed in tjhe airstrike. The Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 12
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2959

LOCATION

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and eight civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were left injured following airstrikes and/or artillery shelling in Jazraya, Aleppo, local media reports, though the exact circumstances were unclear. Most sources reported that one family had been killed, including one man, one woman and three to five children, though sources varied

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(3–5 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 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2958

LOCATION

الهوتة, al-Houta, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three children were killed and another one was injured as remnants from a possible Russian-launched cluster bomb exploded in al-Houta, Aleppo, local media reported. HalabTodayTV’s correspondent reported “the death of three children in the town of Hoota rural southern Aleppo by a bomb explosion from the remnants of the previous shelling of the town.” The

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2957

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was injured following an airstrike and/or artillery shelling of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, local media reported, though it was unclear who and what was to blame. Most sources reported that Russia had carried out airstrikes in the city, causing injuries among the civilians. One of the wounded was identified by name by

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident