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 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2861

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians were reportedly killed in air and artillery strikes which struck Arbeen in the middle of the night. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some sources attributing blame to Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime. A handful of sources blamed “warplanes”, not specifying who the belligerent was. Qalamon, who named

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2860

LOCATION

Kafar Nubul, Raqqa, Syria

Between one and three civilians including a child and a woman died and up to six others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Nubul, according to local media. Ashark alarabi said that one child died and blamed Russia. According to the Smart News Agency, “a child was killed and six civilians were

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2868

LOCATION

الفعلول, Al-Fa'loul, Idlib, Syria

As many as 21 civilians were killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on the residential town of Al-Fa’loul, according to sources on the ground. Local media blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. Although most sources report that 12 were killed, the totoal named death count is 16 civilians.

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 21
(2–8 children3 women)
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, Unknown
Named victims
20 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2867

LOCATION

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

As many as six civilians were killed – including a family of four – and others were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on a poultry farm in Kansafra. Although most sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes, some sources blamed “warplanes”. One even reported the use of an explosive barrel, indicating Syrian regime participation, making

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–14
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2866

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes which struck a camp for Internally Displaced Peoples in Saraqeb in the middle of the night. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources also blamed that

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2864

LOCATION

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians were killed and others were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal Al-Toukan near Abu Al-zuhur. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes, the Syrian regime or “helicopters”, making this a contested event. According to local media, “successive raids” and “heavy shelling” caused “large umbers of dead and wounded” as well as destruction to residential

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2863

LOCATION

ابو الظهور, Abu Al-zuhur, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Abu Al-zuhur. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes, or “helicopters”, making this a contested event. According to local media, “successive raids” and “heavy shelling” caused “large umbers of dead and wounded” as well as destruction to residential buildings. The raids, which according

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
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

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2853

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

The Between 12 and 20 civilians were killed in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential vicinity of Hamouriya, local sources reported. The incident has been described as a “massacre”, with as many as 50 civilians wounded. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia. Moroever, many sources including Yrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(4 children2 women)
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
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2856

LOCATION

مسرابا, Masraba, eastern Al Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Air and artillery strikes on Masraba wounded up to 15 civilians – and killed one child, according to sources on the ground. Reports blamed both Russia and the Assad regime. According to Geiroon News, “medical staff tried within half an hour to revive a baby, who was pulled from the rubble, but did not succeed, and

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2852

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

An eight-year-old boy was killed, and as many as six other civilians were wounded – including a child and an elderly man – when airstrikes reportedly hit Kafr Nabil. Sources mostly blamed Russia, however, there was one allegation against the Syrian regime. Additionally, some sources didn’t identify the “warplanes” responsible for the strikes. The raids

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2855

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Between two and six civilians including a child died and “a large number” more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strikes on Arbeen, according to sources on the ground. Alraafed, cutting the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported  “the killing of 12 civilians, including two children in Hmouriyeh, and three

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5–30
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2859

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

A woman was killed and more than 25 civilians were injured in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Harasta. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids, with some sources also reporting that there had been fighting on the ground between factions. One source mentioned that there were

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
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

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2858

LOCATION

عجاز, Ajaz, Idlib, Syria

An elderly woman was killed in a suspected Russian and Syrian regime airstrike on Ajaz, Idlib. Most sourced blamed the Syrian regime, however Shaam News Network blamed both the regime and Moscow for the raids. There are no reports of wounded civilians however sources reported that the village was on fire, so we can assume

Summary

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

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2854

LOCATION

مديرا , Madyra, Damascus, Syria

One or two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Madyra in Damascus, according to local media. Syrian Reporter and Alghad-alsoury put the death toll at two. According to Shaam, “Al-Assad and Russian planes targeted civilian houses deliberately and directly in the eastern towns and villages of Al-Ghouta

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2857

LOCATION

كفريا, Kafraya, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in air and artillery strikes which hit the town of Kafraya in Idlib. Sources mostly blamed the Syrian regime, however Shaam News Network blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. According to sources, 120 rockets were used to strike the vicinity,

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
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

January 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2850

LOCATION

الغدقة , al Ghadka, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians including a child died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on al Ghadka, local media reported. According to @shahed-alep, “two were killed and wounded as a result of helicopters targeting the town of al Ghardka in the countryside of Idlib”. Sources named Taj al- Din al- Othman Madani, an adult male,

Summary

First published
January 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2851

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes which hit Arbeen, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. Baladi News was the only source to specify that three civilians were killed. According to the Smart News Agency, an entire family was killed

Summary

First published
January 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

January 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2849

LOCATION

مالحة, Malha, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and others were wounded in airstrikes which struck Malha, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, most attributing blame to Russia, while one source blamed the Syrian regime. However, the Step News Agency blamed both belligerents. They did not report on any civilian

Summary

First published
January 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2848

LOCATION

مسرابا, Masraba, Damascus, Syria

Warplanes struck the residential neighbourhood of Masraba, killing one man and wounding dozens of civilians, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Dozens of civilians were allegedly injured, including two children and three women. @Halap-today tweeted that the renewed Russian airstrikes hit Masraba, Madera and Irbid. They did not report on

Summary

First published
January 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9–24
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

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2846

LOCATION

عربين , Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported: “The Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus said six civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed and others injured, as a result of Russian raids overnight on residential neighborhoods in the city of Arbeen.”. The Step News Agency also put the death toll at

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(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
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2842

LOCATION

مشفى السلام,, Ma'arat Nu'man - Al Salam hospital, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Russian ore regime airstrike hit Ma’arat Nu’man’s Al Salam hospital, killing up to five civilians including a newly born baby, according to sources on the ground. RFS put the death toll at two with 10 more wounded. Alquds blamed the regime, reporting that the hospital was put out of service, and that a man

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2843

LOCATION

قطرة, Qatra, Idlib, Syria

A male child was killed and an unspecified number of other civilians wounded in suspected Russian airstrikes in Qatra. Local media either blamed Russia or did not attribute blame to a belligerent. One source reported sighting “military aircraft”. Media reported that “great destruction” was caused. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2847

LOCATION

العنز, Al-Anz, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were wounded in airstrikes which struck the vicinity of Al-Anz. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Elaph News blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia, reported that civilians were wounded in strikes on the towns of Latamna, Murk, Shakuzia, Rihan and Anz. Smart News specified that two civilians were injured

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2853

LOCATION

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians were killed – including an entire family of five – according to local media in airstrikes on Tal Al-Toukan. Dozens were also wounded in the raids. Sources blamed bot the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids which damaged a Mosque as well as residential homes. Mustafa Haj Yousuf, director of the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child3 women1 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2844

LOCATION

مسرابا, Masraba, Damascus, Syria

In what has been described by local media as a “massacre”, 23 civilians were reported killed and as many as 80 more were wounded in airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Masraba. Local media was conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources attributed the civilian harm to Russia, however a number of sources

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 23
(1–3 children4–13 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
40–80
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
20 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2841

LOCATION

معرة النعمان , Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on an ancient museum in Ma’arat al-Nu’man, local media reported. According to Enabbaladi, “an air strike carried out by a military aircraft belonging to the Assad forces yesterday, Tuesday, January 2, targeted the archaeological museum in the city of Ma’arat

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2840

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

One was killed and several civilians were wounded – including women and children – in a continuous air and artillery bombardment which hit the residential neighbourhood of Arbeen, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many blamed Russia, some blamed the Syrian regime and others remained impartial. @syriahr – who

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–17
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

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2839

LOCATION

اورم الكبرى, Urme Al-Kobra, Idlib, Syria

A single source reported that civilians were “killed and wounded by raids of warplanes are likely to be Russian on the town of Urme Al-Kubra south Idlib”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2838

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Urme Al-Jooz, Idlib, Syria

One man was killed, and as many as five civilians were injured  – including a woman – in airstrikes on Urme Al-Jooz, local sources reported. Only two sources blamed Russian raids, while the others did not attribute blame. Footage published shows fires engulfing infrastructure. The Syrian Civil Defence wrestled to put out the flames. Local

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2837

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

A bakery was hit with alleged Russian warplanes, causing the death of one civilian and the injury of another in Saraqeb. Most sources reported that Russian warplanes were to blame for the raids. DCHRS however reported that a civilian was “was shot by unknown source”. The bakery was reportedly rendered out of use, and there

Summary

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