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

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2596 CS1583a

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Hatla, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia, the Syrian regime and the US led Coalition. There is one allegation made by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies which claims the named victim was killed by

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2587

LOCATION

ابو الظهور, Abu Alduhur, Idlib, Syria

A number of civilians were killed and wounded alongside members of the militant jihadist group “Hay’t Tahrir Al Sham” – also known as al-Qaeda – in airstrikes on the Hay’t Tahrir Al Sham military airbase in Abu Alduhur, as well as surrounding residential housing, local media said.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to

Summary

First published
October 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 14
Civilians reported injured
5–21
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

October 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2589

LOCATION

الميادين, Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A family of five were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Mayadeen, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to Russia and the Syrian regime. Alhayat News reported that as many as 30 civilians were killed, however Airwars researchers have concluded this was a separate incident, R2440, on the

Summary

First published
October 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1563 RS2588

LOCATION

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and 12 civilians, including an entire family, died in an airstrike on Bokros Foqani, local media reported. The culprit is currently unclear, though Airwars understands that the Coalition was not bombing in this territory at the time, while Russia reportedly was. Some sources also attributed the blame to the Syrian regime.  According to

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(3 children1–4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–30
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1564 RS2583

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, al Mohadatha school, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 11 and 15 civilians including an entire family died and dozens more were wounded in a reported airstrike near the al Mohadatha school in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources, however, were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. A number of reports did not identify the warplanes

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 15
(5 children2 women7 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2584

LOCATION

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Alleged Russian and/or Syrian-waged airstrikes possibly killed one man and wounded several other civilians, including a child and a woman, in al-Mayadeen, according to sources on the ground. Enab Baladi reported that more than 30 raids had hit al-Mayadeen, and many other sources put the figure at 20 air raids and more. DPN reported that “Russian

Summary

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

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2586

LOCATION

حي المهندسين الاول, Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A young man was killed, and as many as eight more civilians were wounded – including five from the same family – following an air and artillery strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo. All sources either blamed Russia for the air and artillery strikes, or they did not attribute any blame. The shelling allegedly struck civilian housing

Summary

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

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2585

LOCATION

منطقة السدة الطيبة, Al Sadda area, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A woman and her four children were killed, and as many as two others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al Sadda area, Al Tayba. Sources all either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute any blame. There are no other details at this time.  

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1559 RS2575

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 14 named civilians died in an air and artillery strike in Al Mayadin, local media reported – though it was unclear who was responsible for the event, with sources pointing towards the Coalition, Russia and the regime. Many reports referred only to attacks by “warplanes”. Although no specific sources put the death toll

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 14
(4 children2 women3 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
14 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1557 RS2579

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between nine and 15 civilians died, including an entire family, following alleged airstrikes in a second reported ‘massacre’ at Abu Kamal in 24 hours. Reports were contested: some sources blamed the Coalition, while others believed Russia were the likely culprit. Many of the known sources did not apportion blame. The strikes were conducted after midnight,

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(2 children4 women7 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
15 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2576 CS1561

LOCATION

حي النختب بقرص فوقاني, Al Nakhtab, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 12 civilians were killed – including an entire family – and up to 30 were injured, following airstrikes on Al Nakhtab, Bokros Foqani. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the Coalition, others to Russia and SOHR to the Syrian regime. A handful of sources blamed “unknown

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 12
(3 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2582

LOCATION

قرية الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was killed and several other civilians were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes in al-Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Euphrates Post summed up the event by reporting “the martyrdom of the child Ali Mohi Al-Hussein Al-Ramdan in addition to the injury of three people.” Most sources reported that two raids had been launched, except @JFLngo,

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2581

LOCATION

الطوب, al-Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In what several sources referred to as a “massacre”, between 12 and 20 civilians, including several women and children, were killed and dozens left wounded, following alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in al-Toub, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Many sources reported simultaneously about airstrikes in both the towns of al-Toub and al-Bouleil that day, reporting

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(5–9 children2–8 women8 men)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
16 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2580

LOCATION

البوليل, Al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between ten and 18 civilians were killed, including at least one woman, during aerial shelling of al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Many sources reported simultaneously about airstrikes in both the towns of al-Bouleil and Toub that day, reporting a total of

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 18
(1 woman3 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2578

LOCATION

السعلو, Sa'lo, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In this single-source incident, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a man was killed in a bombardment by warplanes believed to be Russian on al-Salu village in the countryside of Deir Ezzor”. Currently, there are no further details.  

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2577

LOCATION

الحوايج, Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and several wounded as airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, hit Huwaij, near al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. @Euphratesmedia reported after the incident “a large number of air raids targeted the towns and villages of the eastern countryside and Al Shahil crossing water”, adding

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(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

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1555 RS2574

LOCATION

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 12 civilians were killed, including at least three children and two women, in airstrikes on Bokro Foqani, situated in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Sources were contested with blame attributed to Russia, the Syrian regime and the US-led Coalition. Most reports were unable to identify the culprit. The news agency Baladi

Summary

First published
September 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 12
(3 children3 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2573

LOCATION

Al Shehabat Crossing in Al Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian was killed by an airstrike which struck the wells at Al-Shehabat Crossing in Al Hawaij, according to local sources. The sources attributed the airstrike to the Russian side. There were no details of any wounded victims.

Summary

First published
September 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2572

LOCATION

الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that three people were reportedly killed, including a child, in airstrikes on the village of Al Salhia, which lays at the entrance of Deir Ezzor. The airstrikes were blamed on Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2559

LOCATION

الهبيط , Al-Habit, Idlib, Syria

Three airstrikes using cluster bombs, likely by Russian warplanes, were the cause of three civilian deaths (of whom two were women) and the wounding of ten others, according to Smart News Agency. The cluster bombs were allegedly dropped on the town of Al Habeet, 35 km south of Idlib. However Alghadalsory reported that the warplane

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women)
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

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2558

LOCATION

كفرجالس , Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

A five-month-pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed in airstrikes, likely by Russian warplanes, on Kafr Jaless on the morning of September 29th, a local source, the Smart News Agency, reported. Smart also reported the wounding of other civilians as a result of the airstrike. According to one of the villagers, the targeted house

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(0–1 children1 woman)
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 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2570

LOCATION

البوليل, Al-Boleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As a result of multiple air raids over the town of Al Boulil on September 29th, 20 civilians were killed, according to local sources. The raids were reportedly likely to be Russian. Most of the deceased were seated in a bus when a rocket exploded close to it, wrecking the bus and killing those inside.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 20
(1 child3 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
15 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2569

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين, Reef Al-Muhandseen, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two staffers were killed and five others injured as a result of air raids, likely to be Russian, on a field hospital in rural Al Muhandeseen, according to Smart News Agency. The field hospital itself was heavily damaged and the staff lost medical equipment. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
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
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2568

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

Two children were injured in air raids, believed to be Russian, on residential areas in  Idlib City, according to Smart News Agency. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2567

LOCATION

بريهة, Bariha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported an airstrike on Bariha village, resulting in the deaths of five or six civilians and an unspecified number of wounded. Sources attributed the blame to the Russian military. Baladi put the death toll at six. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a man and his three children were killed”. Mohammad

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2–3 children1 woman1 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
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2566

LOCATION

ارمناز, Armanaz, Idlib, Syria

Between 15 and 40 civilians were killed in two separate air raids using thermobaric rockets targeting a residential neighbourhood in Armanaz according to local media. Sources all blamed either Russian or Syrian regime raids for the attack. Most sources alleged the second airstrike was aimed at Civil Defence teams and other civilians trying to remove

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 40
(7 children6–8 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–75
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
31 named, 5 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2565

LOCATION

حارم, Harem, Idlib, Syria

A multitude of civilians were killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the village of Harem, close to the Turkish border in Idlib Province, according to local sources. The number of deaths reported varied between sources, ranging from three to 11. All sources reported the killing of a woman and her five children. The

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 13
(1–5 children1–2 women)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2564

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'ah, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians of the same family, including a child and two women, were killed by airstrikes, believed to be Russian, on the town of Al-Tamana’ah on September 29th, according to local sources. The airstrikes should be seen in the context of aerial bombardments since dawn on the city of Jisr Al-Shougour and the nearby town

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2563

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Smart News Agency reported that five civilians were reportedly wounded by airstrikes, likely to be Russian, on the city of Jisr Al Shoughour and its surrounding villages. @jesrNEWS reported: “The cancellation of Friday prayers in the city of Jisr al-Shخughour and most of the villages and villages because of the fierce attack on the city

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2562

LOCATION

كفر ناصح, Kafr Naseh, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Smart News reported that four civilians were lightly injured as a result of aerial bombardments using cluster munition on the town of Khafr Nasseh. Other sources also mentioned that an unspecified number of civilians were injured – and pointed to Russia as the culprit.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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