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 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

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

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 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 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

RS2560

LOCATION

اورم الكبرى, Orme Al Kubra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two consecutive air raids using cluster munition and thermobaric rockets struck the town of Orme Al Kubra near Aleppo, resulting in the deaths of between three to five persons and the injuring many others, according to local media. Russian or regime warplanes were reported to have been to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–3 children2 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
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

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

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

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

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

RS2561

LOCATION

خان العسل, Khan Al-Assal, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Local reported that an air raid struck the village of Khan Al Asal, resulting in injuries of a woman and a child. Smart News attributed the airstrike to Russian warplanes. However other sources said that the regime was also active in the area.

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
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

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

RS2571

LOCATION

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A child was killed in an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the city of Al Atareb, according to multiple local sources. While the vast majority of sources blamed Russia, there were also several reports that the regime were also active over the area.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Named victims
1 named
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

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

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

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 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2554

LOCATION

سهل الروجبلدة الحمو , Hamou town in al Roj plain in the Idlib western countryside, Idlib, Syria

Between three and eight civilians including women and children were killed and up to 15 other non-combatants wounded after an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the village of al Hamou on September 28th, according to local sources. Most sources reported seven or eight people killed, whereas the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(3–4 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2555

LOCATION

المعزولة, Al-Ma'zola village, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including a woman and her husband died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Al-Ma’zola, loval media reported. The Step News Agency reported the death of a woman – and blamed Russia. However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “a woman and her husband killed in Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman1 man)
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2556

LOCATION

بزيت , Bzeit, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from the same family were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzeit, according to sources on the ground. Local media reported multiple deaths and injuries from two air alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Bzeit on September 28th, according to local media. Smart News Agency and Step News Agency reported the

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2557

LOCATION

الشحيل , Al Shuhail, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One woman and one child died and two more children were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Shuhail, according to local media. According to the Smart News Agency, “a woman and her child were killed and two other children were wounded by air strikes by warplanes believed to be  Russian on a town

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2552

LOCATION

جديد بكارة , Jadid Bkara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A total of four civilians including a child and two women were killed in raids by warplanes as well as artillery bombardments on the town of Jadid Bkara on September 28th, according to local sources. The reporting mentioned both the regime forces and the Russian forces as responsible for the bombardments. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2546

LOCATION

التمانعة , Al-Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly injured by an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the town of al Tamana’a in Idlib on September 27th, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian C25 planes for the raids. According to “Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town”, there were more than 18 Russian raids on

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2547

LOCATION

Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Six people were wounded after an airstrike, believed to be Russian, hit the town of Bdama near Idlib, according to local media. The planes struck several sites holding armed groups, according to media, including Jisr al-Shughour, Bdama, Qunya, al-Sanameh, Yacoubiya, and Abu al-Dahour. There was much material damage. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
6
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 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2548

LOCATION

اليعقوبية, al Ya’koubiya town, Idlib, Syria

One child was reportedly killed and as many as 15 others were wounded in an airstrike on the village of al Ya’koubiya by warplanes, according to the Idlib Media Centre. Sources all either attributed the blame to Russia or did not blame a belligerent. The local hospital published a list of 13 named victims who

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12–15
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
13 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2549

LOCATION

سنجار العوجة , Al A'wja and Sinjar, Idlib, Syria

A woman was killed and others were injured as a result of an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the road between al A’wja and Sinjar in rural Idlib, according to an Idlib Media Centre Facebook post. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2550

LOCATION

قرية الزعينية , al Zayniyeh village, Idlib, Syria

One person was killed and six others injured as a result of airstrikes, likely to be Russian, reportedly targeted houses in the village of al Zayniyeh, according to Smart News. Other sources reported one adult male killed and a number of other civilians wounded.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2551

LOCATION

خان شيخون , Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town on Facebook said: “A number of civilians were injured as a result of four air strikes by Russian warplanes carrying cluster bombs targeting the eastern neighborhood of Khan Shikhun in the southern Idlib countryside.” A woman was injured by bombs from warplanes, believed to be Russian,

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2553

LOCATION

الحوايج البومصعة, al Hawaij al Bou masa’a crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 13 people were reportedly killed and dozens were reportedly injured after an airstrike, believed to be Russian, on al Hawayj al Boumsa’a crossing, according to Euphrates Post reporting. The date of the airstrike is unclear, but on September 27th Euphrates Post shared some pictures of the aftermath.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident