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

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2462

LOCATION

وادي العذيب, Wadi Al-Azeeb, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that there were victims, including children, due to an airstrike which was “likely to be Russian” in Wadi Al-Azeeb. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

June 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS884

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and eight more were injured airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes carried out several air strikes with cluster bombs” on Anadan, killing two civilians and wounding another eight

Summary

First published
June 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3242

LOCATION

بنش, Bnesh, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Bnesh, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Sources reported mass destruction to civilian homes, according to local media. @MOAZALSHAMY regime said that airstrikes left “martyrs and wounded”. @IdlibPlus Photos published images “showing the magnitude of the

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

LOCATION

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Center, died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an airstrike on Efis in Idlib, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several attributed the event to the Assad regime. These reports put the death count at one, with an unspecified

Summary

First published
August 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1222

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a man and his daughter – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Accordingly to LCCSY, the victims died following sustaining injuries in a Russian strike. Both Almuhajer and Abdulkaderhep tweeted graphic images of the victims receiving treatment in a medical facility. Step News Agency, SyriaMubasher,

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1287

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab , Aleppo, Syria

Local news outlets alleged that either Russian or Syrian forces were responsible for two civilian deaths, including one woman’s, on the road between Bab al Mayrab and al Salheen in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said “fixed-wing warplanes, believed to be Russian, fired missiles at the residential homes on the road leading to

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1568

LOCATION

قرية القصر, Al Qasr Village, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A woman and a child were killed and seven others were injured, including five children and two women, following an alleged Russian raid on a refugee camp in Al Qasr Village, Aleppo. All sources have blamed Russian warplanes for the cluster bombs which struck the refugee camp for displaced peoples in the evening of the 12th

Summary

First published
November 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1650

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed – another source reported “martyrs” suggesting multiple – and between one and two were wounded following alleged air and artillery strikes on Arbeen. Sources are conflicted regrading who was to blame. Two sources blamed Syrian regime warplanes for the raids, and only one blamed Russia. Other sources remained impartial.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1849

LOCATION

باتبو , Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

Aljazeera reported: “Activists poke of dead trapped under the rubble and huge fires caused by Russian raids after midnight [Jan 20th] on a gas station in the vicinity of the town of Battbo in the western countryside of Aleppo”. Other sources made no mention of fatalities but said that three civilians were wounded in the

Summary

First published
January 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1886

LOCATION

التوبة, Tawba, Hama, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed and at least 10 others were injured in alleged airstrikes against the village of Al-Tawba. While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that there were at least 12 people killed or injured in the airstrikes, Omawi News reported that at the time there had been no recorded casualties.

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2007

LOCATION

درعا البلد, Dara'a Al-Balad, Daraa, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Daraa al Balad, according to local media sources – though it is unclear who was responsible for the attack. Some sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces; some mentioned weapons known to be used by the Assad regime and some didn’t positively identify the aircraft. Nabaa

Summary

First published
March 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(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

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2092

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed and the son of one of them injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media sources. All of the known sources identified Russian warplanes as being responsible for the attack. Most sources reported that one female civilian had been killed and her son injured, however, the Violations

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2410

LOCATION

المشتل, al-Mashtal, Hama, Syria

Local media reported that “a number of civilians were killed and injured” following an alleged Russian airstrike in al-Masthal, Hama, that at the time was controlled by ISIS. According to 7al, the warplane hit a group of displaced people. Two sources attributed blame to Russia while one, 7al, did not identify the culprit.

Summary

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

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2595

LOCATION

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes killed two brothers in al-Mayadeen, local media reported. DeirEzzor24 reported  “an aerial bombardment of the city of Al-Mayadim in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur with an explosive barrel and guided missiles on 4 October 2017,” without appointing blame. Most sources agreed that the strike had killed two brothers. However,

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

March 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3603

LOCATION

كفر عميم , Kafr A’mem, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – both reportedly women – died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in Kafr A’mem, according to multiple local sources. Edlib Media Center reported: “Two women were killed and about 20 others were injured, mostly children, when the Russian occupation aircraft

Summary

First published
March 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS2883

LOCATION

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

Two warplanes killed one to two civilians and wounded others in airstrikes on he residential neighbourhood of Ma’arat Nu’man, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to Russia, others to the Syrian regime, and one did not attribute blame but reported on the presence of “warplanes”. No

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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

June 9, 2019

Incident Code

RS3779

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the city of Kafar Zeita on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources. Based on local activists, Smart News Agency reported that “two people were killed and four others were injured, as the warplanes of

Summary

First published
June 9, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS446

LOCATION

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Jneina, according a a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS574

LOCATION

الغارية, Al Gariya, Daraa, Syria

One woman and one child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Gariya, according to the Violations Documentation Center. All4Syria and  Shams Houran reported that Russia had used cluster bombs on the town. A local video also reports that “el Gharbiyah was targeted by Russian warplanes for secind week running with vacuum and

Summary

First published
February 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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

June 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3831

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Three civilians from the same family were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling or airstrikes on Kafar Zeita in Hama on June 20th, 2019, according to local sources. Among the victims is Khalaf Al-Na’san, and his wife Wa’ad Al-Khalaf and their son. It was reported that Wa’ad died of her wounds.

Summary

First published
June 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2019

Incident Code

R3634

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, Syria

Up to two volunteers for the Syria Civil Defense were reported killed, and four to five others injured, in the second of a double-tap airstrike on the Al Beira neighborhood in east of  Khan Sheikoun city, Idlib, on June 26th. The strike allegedly came following another airstrike, and killed Syrian Civil Defense members while they

Summary

First published
June 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS734

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

At least one child was killed in Douma according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was a Russian airstrike or the result of regime artillery. Shaam News, reported: “Russian planes carried out raids on Douma neighbourhoods which was preceeded by artillery shelling. One civilian was killed and others were

Summary

First published
March 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS798

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

According to multiple local sources, Russian warplanes targeted farmlands in the northern and western suburbs of the town of Ar Rastan with vacuum missiles, leading to the death of one or two civilians and the wounding of several others. Sources spoke of dozens of Russian raids. Ar-Rastan media office said the civilian killed was Siham Ibrahim

Summary

First published
May 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS992

LOCATION

زارع, Zara, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians died in an airstrike on a power station in Zara, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Ara News reported that “Russian warplane shelling with missiles and cluster bombs in Al-Zara and Harbnafsa killed a number of

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2019

Incident Code

RS3949

LOCATION

محيط قؤسة معركبة, Surrounding Ko`usa Ma`arkba, Hama, Syria

Local sources claimed that two civilians were killed by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces missile fire on agricultural lands near Ko`usa Ma`arkba, north of Hama from Camp Bardij, on July 24th, 2019. The Syrian Human Rights Committee named the victims as Jihad Ali Al-Naasan and  Aryam al-Melhem (other sources named him Oqba Aryan

Summary

First published
July 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1362

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources, two civilians, most likely children, were killed and up to another eight people injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mansoura outside Aleppo. The vast majority of sources attributed the strike to Russia, though AleppoAMC and Syrianpc just mention “the air force”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1551

LOCATION

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians, including one child and one woman, died in airstrikes on Az Zarbah town in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. There were no reports of injured civilians. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, the airstrikes were launched from Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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

April 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2168

LOCATION

أبو حواديد, Abu Hawadid, Hama, Syria

Up to seven civilians were killed or injured in an airstrike in Abu Hawaid, Hama, according to Smart News Agency. Their source stated that two civilians were killed and five others injured, when the unidentified aircraft struck the village that was under the control of ISIS. Smart added that two members of ISIS were also

Summary

First published
April 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2307

LOCATION

السخنة, Al-Sokhna , Homs, Syria

An unspecific number of civilian casualties were reported in airstrikes on Al-Sokhna,  according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Syrian News reported that “Russian aircraft launched air raids Tuesday [Tuesday 27th]  on the city of Al-Sokhna and the outskirts of Homs in eastern Homs”. But the Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
June 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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