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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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

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 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 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 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2807

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One child was killed when remnants of cluster bomb from a previous raid exploded in Kafr Hamra. Only one source blamed Russian airstrikes, while the others didn’t name the culprit. It is unclear when the first raids occurred, however all sources reported that the child in question died on December 19th. There were no reported

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2804

LOCATION

تل عمارة, Tal Amara and Hawa, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal Amara. All sources blamed Russian warplanes. @insaan_Rights reported that cluster bombs struck the vicinity. There were no reports of civilian deaths.

Summary

First published
December 18, 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 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

Incident date

December 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2802

LOCATION

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that two civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Tal Al-Toukan. All three sources blamed Moscow. Step News Agency reported an unspecific number of “civilian casualties” – which could be dead civilians – however they were the only source to report this. One local source reported rocket fire was used. There are

Summary

First published
December 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2803

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

As many as 17 civilians were killed – including ten who were named – as well as 6 or more wounded, in internationally banned Napalm and Phosphorous airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the “air and artillery strikes” which were conducted in the vicinity.

Summary

First published
December 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 17
(2–4 children6–7 women)
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
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2800

LOCATION

معرشمشة, Mar Shamsha, Idlib, Syria

A number of civilians were reportedly wounded due to airstrikes on Mar Shamsha. Only two sources attributed blame to Russia while the others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Shbaballatamneh3, two civilians were wounded by Russian rockets. Qasioun on the other hand reported no civilian casualties. Smart News Agency reported that a

Summary

First published
December 16, 2017
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

December 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2801

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

Four children (several from the same family) were killed when remnants of a cluster bomb exploded from a previous Russian raid on Zor Shamer on December 16th, according to local media. All sources blamed Russia for the raid. It is unclear when the initial strike occurred, however first reportage of these civilians deaths was 16th

Summary

First published
December 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 children)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2798

LOCATION

تل الضمان, Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In airstrikes which reportedly “targeted” a medical centre in Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, one civilian was killed and others were wounded. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Russia, while a few blamed the Syrian regime. One source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Smart News Agency was the only local media

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1696 RS2799

LOCATION

الجردي الشرقي, Al Jarthi al Sharqi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 33 named civilians including 16 children and six women died and at least 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Jarthi al Sharqi, according to local media. VDC-SY reported that the airstrike was conducted on the 12th of December, whereas our research shows it was in fact on the 13th of December.

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 33
(16 children6 women5 men)
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
33 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2795

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

A shepherd was injured and ten sheep were killed in alleged Russian “rocket-propelled grenade” fire on Taman’a. There were no reports of civilian deaths. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence reportedly inspected the vicinity and rescued one man from the rubble. He was taken to a medical point. There are no other details at this

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1695 RS2797

LOCATION

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2794

LOCATION

الحمرا, Civilian convoy between the villages of Bouyoud and al Andreen in al Hamra district, eastern Hama, Hama, Syria

Between two and five civilians were wounded in an airstrike which struck a bus or car carrying civilians in Al-Hamra, local media said. Sources all attributed blame to Russia. The wounded were transferred to medical points. According to ‘Al Latamna youth group’ on Facebook, ” two civilians were wounded in an air strike by Russian

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2796

LOCATION

رملة, Ramla village, Khanasser district, southern Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that “On Tuesday [Dec 12th] civilians were wounded as a result of an air strike that is likely to be a Russian attack on the village of Ramla, south of Aleppo, north of Aleppo.” According to Smart, ten wounded civilians were transferred to medical points in the

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2793

LOCATION

البوحمد, Al Buhamad, Raqqa, Syria

A man was reportedly killed when remnants from an unexploaded rocket detonated. Sources all agreed that the missile was from a previous Russian bombing, though the date of the bombing is unknown. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

December 10, 2017

Incident Code

RS2792

LOCATION

برج سبنة, the villages of Burj Sabna and Abu Tina, Aleppo, Syria

A civilian was killed, and four others were wounded, in a series of ten airstrikes on Burj Sabna, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources attributed blame to Moscow. Surface rockets and cluster bombs were reportedly used in the raids, which were a renewed attack from previous weeks. According to Step News, the “villages of Burj

Summary

First published
December 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
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 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2788

LOCATION

ثروت, Tharwat, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were “lightly wounded” in airstrikes on Tharwat village in eastern Hama governorate, according to local media. There were no reports of any civilian deaths. Both sources blamed Russian missiles for the attack which reportedly occurred 58 km east of Hama city. According to Smart News, the wounded civilians were transported to a medical

Summary

First published
December 8, 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