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 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS387

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A woman and her two daughters died when “suspected Russian warplanes” launched missiles in Al Mayadeen, according to multiple sources.

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3902

LOCATION

الجيسات, Al Jesat, Hama, Syria

Up to three civilians were killed and four others injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike. According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, they were killed in their place of work on agricultural land in the vicinity of Al Jesat. Syrian Network for Human Rights added that “Syrian regime forces fired Kornet missile

Summary

First published
July 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS933

LOCATION

‏الشيخ احمد‬, Sheikh Ahmad, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and three civilians including up to two children and one woman died in an airstrike on Sheikh Ahmad, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), Halab Today and Syria2011 attributed the event to Russia.

Summary

First published
June 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3993

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmin, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly killed and three others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmin, Hama governorate, on August 6th, 2019, according to local sources. One source reported civilian deaths in Latmin. According to Baladi News, “three [civilians] were killed in a Russian bombardment on the town of Latmin in the northern

Summary

First published
August 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1433

LOCATION

جوبر‎, Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1497

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a father and his son or daughter – died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two victims (a child and

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 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

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1681

LOCATION

قرية براتة, Barata, Aleppo, Syria

This single-source incident reports that Russian airstrikes killed one child and two women in the village of Barata, Aleppo. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights “at least three civilians (one child and two women) died due to suspected Russian warplanes firing missiles on Barata village in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, November 24, 2016.”

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1762

LOCATION

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed during an airstrike on Zardana, Idlib, according to local media reports – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Idlib Media Centre, who stated that one woman died in the attack, reported that it was because of a “missile launched by Russian occupation

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 20, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2062

LOCATION

بزابور, Bzabor, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzabor, local media said. Both sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes. According to SMO, “activists reported that the Russian occupation aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Khan Sheikun and the town of Bazabor, killing three people

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2258

LOCATION

العقيربات حمادة عمر , Hamada Omar near Al Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Three civilian deaths and several injuries were reported as a result of airstrikes on the village of Hama Omar in Hama Governorate on the 26th of May 2017, an area under the control of the Islamic State (Daesh). It is unclear who was to blame for these airstrikes; sources pointed at the Russians and the

Summary

First published
May 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2555

LOCATION

المعزولة, Al-Ma'zola village, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including a woman and her husband died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Al-Ma’zola, loval media reported. The Step News Agency reported the death of a woman – and blamed Russia. However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “a woman and her husband killed in Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS065

LOCATION

رسم حمام, Rasim al Hammam, Hama, Syria

Three civilians – a woman and two girls – were reported killed and ‘many wounded’ after an alleged Russian airstrike on a former school in which internally displaced civilians were said to be sheltering.  

Summary

First published
October 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS590

LOCATION

الصالحين, el Salheen, Aleppo, Syria

According to a single source, the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Salheen neighborhood of Aleppo. The victims were named by the Center.  

Summary

First published
February 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(0–3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2018

Incident Code

RS3022

LOCATION

عيناتا , Enata, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians, including up to two children and one woman, were killed while as many as six civilians were wounded following alleged Russian shelling of Enata, western Idlib, local media reported. In this event, several sources reported that Russian warplanes had carried out airstrikes in Enata. The twitter account Hassan Darwisho mentioned that

Summary

First published
February 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS4068

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria

Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 22nd. Edlib Media Center cited “two martyrs and several wounded, as a result of the regime’s helicopter bombardment with explosive barrels on the southern neighborhood of Ma’rat Al-Nu`man city.” Meanwhile, Syria Civil Defense stated that “three civilians were killed

Summary

First published
August 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child2 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1727

LOCATION

حي كرم البيك , Karam al Bayk neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

AleppoAMC reported that three civilians died in “air and artillery shelling” in Aleppo’s Karam al Bayk neighbourhood – but didn’t specify the culprit of the civilian harm. According to LCCSY, “by the end of Tuesday 29/11/2016 the LCCSY documented the deaths of 85 martyrs in Syria including 16 children and 10 women: 54 martyrs in Aleppo

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1746

LOCATION

جسر الحج, Jisr al Haji area, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisr al Haji area, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Halab News Network first tweeted that the Syrian regime were to blame for using both artillery shells and rocket launchers on the vicinity. It later posted on their Facebook page that three civilians

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS1877

LOCATION

حي القابون, Al Qaboun neighbourhood, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians were reportedly killed and 16 more injured in an airstrike on al Qaboun, Damascus, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Assad’s regime or Russia were responsible. Geroun News who put the death toll at one and 15 injured, reported that: “Russian fighter jets launched four air raids

Summary

First published
February 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–16
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

April 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2175

LOCATION

رسم العويد, Rasim Al Ouweid, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly killed and two injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Rasim Al Ouweid, Hama – though only one known source has reported on this event. According to Smart News Agency there were five civilian casualties from a bombardment of likely Russian warplanes. Their local source told them “the aircraft bombed the

Summary

First published
April 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

December 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2821

LOCATION

الصرمان, Al Sarman, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians were killed, and six others were wounded – including women and children – in airstrikes which struck Al Sarman. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters receiving allegations. There is some confusion over how many civilians were killed. The Violations

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2534

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين , Reef Al-Muhandseen, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians from the same family – a man, his wife, and their child – died and five more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Reef Al-Muhandseen, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the killing of two civilians, a woman and her child, in Reef Al Muhandiseen in the

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3725

LOCATION

سفوهن, Sufwhan, Idlib, Syria

A man and two women were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sufwhen, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five civilians, including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer, were reportedly injured. Shahba Press claimed that one woman had been killed and an unknown number of others were injured

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS313

LOCATION

حي باب قنسرين, Bab Qansreen, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bab Qansreen, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes shelled the Bab Qansreen neighbourhood on December 25th, while the Shaam News Network posted a video by Aleppo Media Center showing the body of a child and

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children)
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, 1 familiy identified
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 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS665

LOCATION

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria

Up to three civilians died in an airstrike on Saida according to local sources. All but one allege that this was a Russian airstrike. Among the sources blaming Russia were Baladi, Step, LCCSY and Dery News. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at three and said that regime warplanes were

Summary

First published
February 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 men)
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

May 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS793

LOCATION

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

According to multiple local sources, three children died when the remains of a cluster bomb – allegedly earlier dropped by Russia – exploded in the town of Taqad. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which also said three children died, blamed the regime for originally dropping the cluster bomb. Alarab News reported that “a

Summary

First published
May 10, 2016
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS922

LOCATION

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the Al Castello Road north of Aleppo city, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that a media activist and IT Engineering student at the Free Aleppo University died

Summary

First published
June 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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

November 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1666 RS2697

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

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

Incident date

August 19, 2019

Incident Code

RS4051

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Outskirts of Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria

A Turkish military convoy crewed by civilian personnel came under air attack from regime forces (or possibly Russian) – leading to the reported deaths of up to three civilians and the injuring of a further 12. According to some sources, the convoy appeared to be attempting to deliver heavy armour including tanks and armoured personnel

Summary

First published
August 19, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2019

Incident Code

RS4080

LOCATION

كفرعويد, Kafr Aouid, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians died and 12 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Aouid, local media reported. Most sources blamed the regime, though there was also a report that Russia had been active over the area and a tweet from @ahmaad_yosef identified Russian planes as being responsible. According

Summary

First published
August 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident