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

June 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS827

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one child died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Assal, according to local sources. Orient News put the death toll at three and said that one of those killed was a child. It blamed Russia. Step News Agency also said that Russia was responsible, while SRG

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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
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

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1572

LOCATION

كفرناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A father, son and the sister of the father were killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Kafr Naha, Aleppo – although sources were conflicted as to who was responsible – with some sources not even identifying the aircraft. According to reports, residential buildings were stuck and many of them were badly damaged

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS035

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Two young sisters named were reported by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in a Russian attack on Tahtaya in Idlib. A third fatality, an adult man, was later added to the list.  

Summary

First published
October 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2489

LOCATION

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and nine others, including children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala’at al Madeeq in northwestern Hama, according to local sources. The initial estimate of two civilians killed was reported by Smart News Agency while

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS389

LOCATION

الزبدية, Zibdiyah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A children’s nursery was reportedly struck in a Russian airstrike at Zibdiyah – just a day after a similar incident in Damascus governorate. According to Al Jisr, “Russian airforce aggression also targeted a nursery in the Zibdiyah quarter of Aleppo which led to the deaths of 3 children.” Aleppo White Helmets said 20 children were

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS4059

LOCATION

تل منس , Tal Mnes, Idlib, Syria

One to three civilians were reported killed, and one to five wounded, in three to four airstrikes on Al Rahman hospital in Tal Mnes village, Idlib, on August 21st, 2019. Of the civilians killed, one may have been a child – according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which identified those killed in Tal Mnes

Summary

First published
August 21, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 29, 2019

Incident Code

RS4092

LOCATION

التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians – a woman and her two sons (one of whom was a child) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tah the first hours of dawn on August 29, 2019, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes targeted al-Tah town in the southern countryside of Idlib, leaving three

Summary

First published
August 29, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1240

LOCATION

Sabkha al Mo, Homs, Syria

Three civilians – a woman and two men – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a car in Sabkha al Moh, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian planes targeted a civilian car carrying traveling bedouins [one woman and two men] in the area around Sabkha al Moh south of the

Summary

First published
September 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman2 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1584

LOCATION

قرية عويجل, Aweijal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A named civilian man and two unidentified civilians allegedly died as a result of airstrikes on the Baghdad hospital in Aweijal village, Aleppo, according to multiple local sources. Sources added that a number of medical staff were injured. Annahar cited the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who didn’t identify a culprit. Reportedly the attack on

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1707

LOCATION

الحلوانية , Al Hilwaniya neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian air or artillery strike on Aleppo’s Al Hilwaniya neighbourhood, according to local media. Step said that “Russian warplanes and helicopters” had carried out strikes on neighbourhoods in Aleppo including Al Hilwaniya, “resulting in civilian casualties”. @shahed-alep reported “a heavy artillery and rocket attack on Al-Sakhour and Al-Halawani neighborhoods and the

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1730

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى , Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two or three civilians including a child and a woman died and up to five more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orme al Kubra, according to local media. LCCSY reported that a child and a woman died in a Russian airstrike. Syria News Desk, however, put the death toll at three (including

Summary

First published
December 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
2 named
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

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2048

LOCATION

بعربو, Ba'arbo, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including two women and a female child, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the town of Ba’arbo in the southern countryside of Idlib. At the time of their death, the civilians that were killed were riding in a car. According to @Omar_Madaniah, the civilians

Summary

First published
March 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2197

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed and up to 20 other civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian missile strikes on the town of Sarmin, local media reported. Sources on the ground reported two others were killed by land-to-land cluster bombs. A total of three died and 10 were wounded as a result of Syrian ballistic

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
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 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2270 CS919a

LOCATION

موحسن , Mohsen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the killing of Mohamad Amla Al Fals Abu Ammar and his daughter Wafa Amla Al Fals on Sunday June 4th, as warplanes struck his residence in the village of Muhasan in rural Deir Ezzor. Some sources also mentioned the wounding of other members of his family. The sources disagreed on the nationality

Summary

First published
June 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
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

October 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS078

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

According to the White Helmets in Aleppo, “Russian warplanes bomb the towns of Al Bab and Tadef yesterday evening with several raids using vacuum missiles – leaving several dead and dozens wounded and homes destroyed.” Other reports described two raids on Tadef and one on Al Bab. Radio Al Kul attributed the attacks to the

Summary

First published
October 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
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

December 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS336

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including a woman and child were reported killed at a camp for displaced people in A’zaz. Radio Al Kul reported that “Three civilians were killed and tens injured, among them many children in critical condition, by Russian airstrikes on A’zaz and a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town.” The three victims were

Summary

First published
December 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS688 CS186

LOCATION

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to three civilians were killed in an airstrike on Mahimideh according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition was responsible. Euphrates post named two fatalities including an unidentified victim. It said that Russia was responsible. However, Al Jazeera and Lebanon360 alleged this was a Coalition

Summary

First published
February 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS881

LOCATION

حي ‏الجزماتي‬, Al Jazmati (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including a child and a woman died and dozens more were injured when non-combatants’ homes were struck by airstrikes in the Al Jazamati neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY blamed Russian strikes

Summary

First published
June 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3161

LOCATION

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

A single source reported that “three civilians were killed and others were injured by an air bomb likely to be a Russian on the town of Beit sawa (12 km east of Damascus), pointing to the death of a person from wounds sustained by the past days.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

July 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1042

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians died and many more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Marja, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the death of one child – and published an image of the victim.

Summary

First published
July 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
3–10
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3238

LOCATION

جفتلك حج حمود, Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians were killed and as many as ten others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Jafatlek Haj Hamoud, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to Moscow on this occasion. The alleged Russian missile caused destruction to civilian property. Members of the Civil Defence teams worked to retrieve the bodies

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3965

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Three medics were killed when alleged Russian airstrikes hit their ambulance on the road between Kafar Zeita and Al Latamina town in Hama governorate on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. The paramedics were reportedly on their way to help civilians who were wounded in previous air and artillery strikes. The Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
July 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1414

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources, the Khan al-Assal area in Aleppo was subject to warplane shelling, leading to the deaths of up to three civilians though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime caused the civilian harm. The twitter account @Aleppo reported that the strikes hit a funeral gathering. Meanwhile, the Syrian

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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

November 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1558

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians – a girl and two women – died and several more were wounded, following an air or artillery strike on Saqba – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Syrian Press Center reported that surface rockets were used in the attack, with other sources reporting

Summary

First published
November 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
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

March 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1965a

LOCATION

قريتي دالية وسوحا, Suha and Abu Dalia villages, Hama, Syria

Between two and three civilians were killed, including a woman, and as many as “dozens” more were injured following an alleged Russian raid on the villages of Suha and Abu Dalia, local media said. @B_ALHAMAWI was the only source to blame Russian warplanes; the other sources do not attribute any blame. According to @HalabTodayTV, two raids that

Summary

First published
March 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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, Unknown
View Incident