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

February 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS1923

LOCATION

بنش, Binish, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died and up to 10 more were wounded (including four members of the civil defense), following a raid on the Red Crescent Medical Store in Binish. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources blamed a Russian airliner, whilst others blamed Syrian regime vacuum missiles. The Shaam News Network reported that

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9–10
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 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2033

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamneh, Hama, Syria

The town of al-Latamneh, Hama, was reportedly exposed to chlorine gas attacks which killed two civilians. There were also claims that dozens more civilian were wounded through suffocation. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Orient News reported that helicopters belonging to the Syrian regime had carried out chlorine

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2143

LOCATION

دارة عزة , Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilian including women and children were wounded in as many as ten alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza, according to sources on the ground. EduRights Foundation said that a school was struck. It reported: “This morning [April 18th], a school in the city of Dara Azza in the countryside of western Aleppo was

Summary

First published
April 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2291

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed, and several others were wounded, following an airstrike on Akeirbat, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian military aircraft for the strikes. @radioalsham reported that a woman was killed and several others were wounded, while the Step News Agency reported that two civilians were killed as well as

Summary

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

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2400

LOCATION

الشميطة و المسرب, Shumita and Masrab, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Shumita and Masrab, according to local media. The number of dead and wounded was unspecific. However, Deirezzor24 reported that there were ten killed and others wounded, “as a result of the bombing of the air force to the city of the

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
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

November 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS152

LOCATION

التمانعة, At Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed, and two men travelling with her badly injured when alleged Russian warplanes struck a car carrying displaced people on the road leading to Al Tamaanah in Idlib governorate. One of the men may later have died. Smart News has published an interview with an eyewitness: “At 09:30 this morning exactly an

Summary

First published
November 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS185

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

Two named civilians were killed in an alleged Russian and also claimed that the Assad regime was responsible for the attack on Da’ara Street in Nawa, Da’ara governorate. The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the two victims, and they were both from Kafr Shams.

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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

June 8, 2019

Incident Code

RS3774

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib, June 8th. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one civilian killed in the attack, and named him as Khaled Ahmad al Hmaido. Later it was reported that a woman named Khaldiya Al-Battal died of her wounds as results of the same airstrike. Listing a

Summary

First published
June 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS485

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In a news roundup, The Shaam News Network reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij. The Network said this was part of a series of raids which included Al Bab, the villages of Berlhan and Trahil, and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted.  

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

February 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS517

LOCATION

معرسة الخان, Ma'arasta al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes “carried out raids on the towns of the northern countryside on the towns of Tal Rafa’at, Mare’, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hayyan, Ratyan, Bayanoun, Al Mallah, Ma’arasta al Khan, Ihress, Deir al Zeitoun, Bashoui and Asiya.” It said that two people died in Ma’arasta Al Khan in addition to

Summary

First published
February 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS870

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources said that two civilians died in an airstrike on Hraytan – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The White Helmets published a video and image of them extinguishing a fire in a “civilian car” which they said had been caused by “helicopters

Summary

First published
June 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS3189

LOCATION

مديرا, Madera, Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and an unspecified number wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Madera, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Helicopters reportedly dropped explosive barrels on the residential neighbourhood. According to @abo_mosab32, “Many civilians were killed and wounded by heavy and continuous shelling targeting town

Summary

First published
March 7, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3144

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

A young man was killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, according to social media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. Sources were conflicted as to whether the young man was a civilian or a non-civilian. VDC reported that he was a non-civilian, however all other sources reported he was a civilian. According to local

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(0–1 men)
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

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1305

LOCATION

الصالحين, Al Salhin neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians died and seven were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Salhin neighbourhood, according to local media. LCCSY said Russia carried out strikes, though Aljazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.” But Free

Summary

First published
September 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1686

LOCATION

التليلات , Tlailat area, Aleppo southern countryside, Aleppo, Syria

Two adult male civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Tlailat area in Aleppo’s southern countryside, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently known.

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1822

LOCATION

بلدة حور, Hor, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One unidentified civilian was killed – and others were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hor, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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

April 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2121

LOCATION

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

One or two civilians died and several others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, according to sources on the ground. Step News Agency reported that “two civilians were killed and several wounded as a result of two Russian air raids on residential areas in the town of Ma’ra al-Nu’man in rural Idlib.” Other

Summary

First published
April 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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

April 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2151

LOCATION

الطبايق, Al-Tabayek, Idlib, Syria

Two children were killed and one other civilian was wounded – Smart reported a woman was wounded – following an airstrike on Al-Tabayek. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid.  Syrian Mirror reported  “targeting of residential areas and vital centres”, resulting extensive destruction to property. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “two children were

Summary

First published
April 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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

April 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS2102

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed in an airstrike in Saraqeb, Idlib, according to local media sources – though it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Almost all of the known sources that reported on this event, regardless of belligerent, noted that internationally banned phosphorous bombs were used. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in

Summary

First published
April 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2401

LOCATION

غنيمان, Ghneiman, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike “mostly likely to be Russian” in Ghneiman. The source did not specify the number of casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2428

LOCATION

بلدة ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed allegedly by warplanes in the town of Dhiban in eastern Deir Ezzor Governorate at around 2am on 12th September 2017. Multiple sources confirmed that one man, Hassan al-Mazal, and one girl were killed in this airstrike. The girl was reported as the daughter of either Thamer al-Frikhan or Thamer al-Khalif al-Sari.

Summary

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

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2713

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al-Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

A man and a girl were killed, and six other civilians were wounded, in airstrikes which struck a farm in Al-Taman’a. Sources all either blamed Russia for the strikes, or did not attribute blame to a belligerent. @HomamAlHassan however blamed Syrian regime warplanes. The civilians were killed on a farm while while harvesting olive crops,

Summary

First published
November 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3681

LOCATION

معرتماتر, Ma'aratmatar, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’aratmatar on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other woman and child were injured. Several sources, among which the Syrian Human Rights Committee and Shaam News Network, reported that two people were killed in the town

Summary

First published
May 7, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS2929

LOCATION

معرةالنعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

As many as two civilians were killed in airstrikes on Ma’arat Nu’man, according to local media. Only two sources reported on this incident. Step News Agency blamed Russian warplanes but did not diverge information regarding civilian casualties. DCHRS, who also blamed Russia, reported on two unidentified civilian deaths. There are no other details at this

Summary

First published
January 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS464

LOCATION

معرسة الخان, Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians – a man and a woman – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road to Ma’arasta Al Khan. Radio Al Kul reported “the martyrdom of Mariam Abdullah aged 30 year from Russian Aviation targeting with rockets on the road of Ma’arasta el Khan in the northern Aleppo countryside this afternoon.”  

Summary

First published
January 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 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

June 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS3835

LOCATION

الزقوم, Al Zakkoum, Hama, Syria

According to local sources, a Russian airstrike killed two in the village of Al Zakkoum and injured eight others. The two killed are originally from Kansafra according to local sources. While Shaam News referred to martyrs, without making clear the status of those killed, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that  “two members of the

Summary

First published
June 21, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
8 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
Belligerents reported injured
8
View Incident

Incident date

June 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3856

LOCATION

الحواش, Al Hawash, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Hawash, Hama, on June 27th. Syria Civil Defense alleged that on June 27th there were “seven martyrs and 32 wounded, as a result of the continuous bombardment by the regime forces and its Russian ally” on June 27th, including “two civilians

Summary

First published
June 27, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Other
View Incident

Incident date

June 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS913

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Two named civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Bab, according to local media. Activists speaking to syrianpc news  said that Russian warplanes launched strikes on residential buildings in the city of Al Bab, killing two civilians and wounding five others. A number of sources which reported the incident did not identify the

Summary

First published
June 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3131

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

A single source reported “heavy air raids by Russian warplanes on the cities of Harasta and Zamalka in the eastern Ghouta, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 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
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident