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 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2836

LOCATION

الهيمانية, Al-Haymaniya, Hama, Syria

A young man was killed by airstrikes which raided the village of Al-Haymaniya in Hama. Sources either blamed Russia or did not attribute blame. A number of civilians were reportedly injured however local media did not specify how many. According to Baladi, “Russian warplanes launched air raids with high-explosive missiles on the village of Haymaneya

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2835

LOCATION

التح, Al-Tah, Idlib, Syria

Two children were reportedly wounded in airstrikes conducted in Al-Tah. Most sources said  that Russian warplanes were to blame for the raids. There were no reports of civilian deaths. Baladi News did not report on civilian harm, stating only that “Russian warplanes launched dozens of intensive raids on several cities and towns of the southern

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2834

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported a “massacre” whereby as many and seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in Khan Al-Subul. Most sources blamed Russia, however some blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources reported sighting warplanes but did not identify them. The warplanes struck residential homes, according to local media, with seven consecutive raids,

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(4–5 children1–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2833

LOCATION

كفر حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Between one and five civilians, including one woman, were killed and up to “dozens” more were left wounded following aerial shelling of Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Following the incident, Fresh News’ correspondent reported that a woman was

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2832

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'ret Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed and several others were left wounded as an alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrike hit Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, local media reported. @aladeyeh and Masar Press, who both identified Russia as the culprit, reported one fatality and two wounded. Meanwhile, @OsamaKaial reported that the strike had wounded several civilians. It was the

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2831

LOCATION

الهلبة, al-Halba, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians, reportedly both children, were killed and several other non-combatants were left wounded following aerial shelling of al-Halba, Idlib, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. While most sources reported one fatality, a few sources reported the death of two civilians, such as the Violations Documentation Center

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 children)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2830

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, Syria

Between five and eight civilians, including children and women, were killed and “dozens” were left wounded following heavy aerial shelling in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, local sources reported. There were reports that a popular market as well as homes in the town were struck. The reported death

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(1 child1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2829

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

High explosive missiles struck Lataminah, leaving several civilians wounded, according to local media. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or did not identify a belligerent. Only an unspecifiied number of civilians were reported injured, but there were no reports of fatalities. According to Arab48 News, there was a “heavy bombardment with missile launchers, without

Summary

First published
December 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2826

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was injured, and an unspecific number were killed, in air and artillery strikes which struck Al Taman’a, according to sources on the ground. Local media blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the civilian harm. Orient News reported that “helicopters threw several barrels of explosives” on the vicinity. A local source,

Summary

First published
December 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2825

LOCATION

الخوين, Al Khwain, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Khwain, according to reports from the ground. Local sources either attributed the blame to the Syrian regime or to Russia. The only civilian harm allegation is from Step News Agency who reported that “The Russian and Syrian air raids

Summary

First published
December 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2827

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed, and three to five others were wounded, in airstrikes which struck a residential neighbourhood and market in Ma’arat Nu’man, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes. Dw News also reported that a hospital was partially damaged in the raid, however they were

Summary

First published
December 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2824

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Two airstrikes which hit Tahtaya killed three civilians and wounded another three, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. Despite @AjamiNetwork reporting there were no civilian casualties, all other sources reported on civilian harm. According to Baladi News, the victims were pulled out of the rubble

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

December 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2823

LOCATION

بابولين, Baboulin, Idlib, Syria

Two or three civilians including two children were killed and an unspecified number were wounded in airstrikes which hit Baboulin, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the raids. According to some sources, Syrian regime helicopters dropped four explosive barrel bombs on the vicinity. Aircraft also allegedly “targeted

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 children)
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

December 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2822

LOCATION

المشيرفة, Mushrifah, Idlib, Syria

A mother and between three and five children were killed in airstrikes which “targeted” their home in Mushrifah, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some attributing blame to Moscow, while others pointed to the Syrian regime. Manahi Al Ahmad reported that the victims died as a result of “targeting

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(3–5 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
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
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

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2820

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

As many as 12 civilians were killed, and dozens more wounded, in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Taman’a. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the strikes. The Violations Documentation Centre reported that there were two incidents which occurred on the same day in Taman’a, however they

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 12
(3 children1–3 women4 men)
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
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2815

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Up to five men were killed in alleged Russian aerial shelling of Lataminah, local media said, though it was unclear whether the victims were a part of the armed opposition or civilians. Several reports, such as HalabTodayTV and @AleppoAMC, reported that the airstrikes “killed and wounded civilians.” However, Step News Agency reported that the strikes

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(5 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2819

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed, including a Civil Defence volunteer, in airstrikes which struck civilian housing and a popular market in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes. Many didn’t name a culprit but pointed only to “military aircraft” and “helicopters”. Footage published by the Syrian

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2818

LOCATION

زيتونة, Zaytounah, Idlib, Syria

One adult male was killed and six others were injured – including three women and a man – following airstrikes on Zaytounah refugee camp, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Only one source blamed Russia, while the others either blamed the Syrian regime or “military warplanes”.

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2817

LOCATION

مزرعة العزيزية, Mazrat Al-Aziziya, Idlib, Syria

Two adult males died in airstrikes by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes in Mazrat Al-Aziziya, local media reported. Sources blamed both said belligerents for the raids. Aljazeera reported that “10 people were killed and dozens injured others this morning in a Russian air bombardment on the towns of Al Taman’a,  Al Dajaj and Al Hamdaniya

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–24
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

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2816

LOCATION

رسم العيد, Rasim Al-Abid, Idlib, Syria

An adult male was killed, and others were wounded, when alleged Russian warplanes struck Rasim Al-Abid camp for Internally Displaced Peoples. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming Russia but some blaming the Syrian regime. One source states that the bombardments by Russia were “hysterical” with as many as 25

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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

December 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1702 RS2813

LOCATION

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra

Summary

First published
December 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2814

LOCATION

السميرية, Al-Samiria, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that alleged Russian warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes in the town of Al-Samiria, Aleppo, wounding several civilians. While the reports were sparse, all sources, however, identified Russia as the culprit. However, only the Step News Agency made mention of civilian harm.

Summary

First published
December 25, 2017
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

December 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2812

LOCATION

شنان, Shanan, Raqqa, Syria

Three children were killed by the remnants of an alleged Russian cluster bomb in the town of Shanan, eastern Raqqa, local media reported. Among the sources, Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the three children were killed due a “cluster bomb explosion left behind by the Russian shelling of the town of Shanan.” It

Summary

First published
December 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2811

LOCATION

ابومحالة, Abu Mahala village in Al Hamra district, Hama, Syria

Several civilians were injured by intense aerial shelling of Abu Mahala, Hama, local media reported. All sources blamed Russia. While no reports mentioned the exact number of injured, sources merely reported that a number of civilians were left wounded. The strikes were reportedly part of a larger shelling that day. Masar Press News reported “more

Summary

First published
December 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2810

LOCATION

الحمراء, Al-Hamraa, Hama, Syria

Eight civilians, including children and women, were reportedly injured as warplanes, possible belonging to Russia, carried out airstrikes in Al-Hamraa, Hama, local media reported. While the sources agreed that the strikes, that took place during the night, wounded up to eight civilians, they were not clear in terms of culpability. Step News Agency was the

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2809

LOCATION

خان العسل, Khan al-Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were reportedly killed and another two were left wounded as the remnants of previous shelling exploded in the town of Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, local media said. HalabTodayTV’s correspondent said that it was the remnants of a cluster bomb dropped on a previous day that caused the incident. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
December 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2808

LOCATION

الجنينة, Al-Janeneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were seriously injured from the remnants of an alleged Russian cluster bomb that was dropped the previous day, October 19th, in the village of Al-Jeneneh, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Several sources added that the incident led to the amputation of the child’s foot. DMUO, for instance,

Summary

First published
December 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

December 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2806

LOCATION

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

In what has been described my local media as a “massacre” as many as 20 civilians were killed and up to 35 were wounded, in airstrikes conducted over Ma’ar Shoreen. Nearly all reports of the incident blamed Russia, however one source blamed the Syrian regime making this a contested event. Many of the dead were

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(8 children7–19 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–35
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
20 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2805

LOCATION

التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

One girl was killed and two other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Al Tah, according to local media. Images published by a local source, @alathre1989, shows the severe damage to the residential property. Despite most sources reporting that the casualty was a female child, @hish_m_c alleged that she

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident