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 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2495

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from one family were killed in air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources all attribute the blame to Russia. Two of the victims were women and one was a child. According to one source, this was followed by artillery shelling on the city during the funeral of the

Summary

First published
September 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2496

LOCATION

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the

Summary

First published
September 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2494

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians were killed and “dozens” more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes. Idlib Media Centre reported “the death  of three martyrs

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2493

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Sajna in southern Idlib. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. One local source included wounded in the casualty estimates but did not specify whether it was in Kafr Sajna or Deir al Sharqi. Both sources that reported in the incident,

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2492

LOCATION

بنين الدير الشرقي, Banin and al Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian strikes on Banin and al Deir al Sharqi. Most sources said that missiles had been fired on Banin from Russian battleships. Khaled al Waleed and Adam.sy said that three civilians had been wounded. According to HNN, there were “martyrs and wounded in shelling

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2491

LOCATION

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that between two and six civilians – an entire family, according to one source – died in alleged Russian or regime strikes on al Tamana’a. Sources blamed both Russian airstrikes or missiles fired from Russian battleships. Some other sources also pointed to regime warplanes. HNN reported that there had been “martyrs and

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–4 children1 woman1 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2490

LOCATION

رسم الطويل, Rasim al Taweel, Hama, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, there were “dead and wounded as a result of a Russian air bombardment on the village of Rasim al Taweel, east of Hama”. No other sources civilian harm, but they said that the regime had taken control of the village.

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2485

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between three and nine civilians, including one to four women and one to four children, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian ore regime airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. The civilians that were killed were from the same family, with Smart News Agency reporting that they were a mother,

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1–4 children1–4 women1 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
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2489

LOCATION

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and nine others, including children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala’at al Madeeq in northwestern Hama, according to local sources. The initial estimate of two civilians killed was reported by Smart News Agency while

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2488

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

One woman  was injured in alleged Russia airstrikes against the village of Latmeen in the northern countryside of Hama, according to multiple local sources.

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2487

LOCATION

بلدة الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

At least three civilians, including a woman and two children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of al Habeet in southern Idlib according to a local source. The White Helmets tweeted a video showing the rescue of a child, who was found alive, in the ruins of her home. There are no

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2474

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbooda, Hama, Syria

An elderly man was killed in Kfar Nbouda as more than seven rocket attacks bombarded the town, local sources reported. A house collapsed killing the 75-year-old while his wife’s leg later required amputation. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported a second death in the town. They were the only media outlet to cite

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman1 man)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2477

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Khan Shikhoun, local sources reported. The injured included a young girl and a woman, according to Zaman Al Wasl.

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2482

LOCATION

معرة حرمة, Maraat Harma, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were wounded and some possibly died as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Maarat Harma in southern Idlib according to local media. Smart News Agency identified Russian planes as responsible but did not give an estimate of how many civilians were injured, only indicating that it was

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
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
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2475

LOCATION

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

A mother and four children were killed in their home as alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces struck the town of Jarjanaz. The death of a sixth civilian was also reported. Those killed included the woman’s grandson, according to local sources. At least five others were injured. Three “space rockets” hit the town through the

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–7
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

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2478

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Between zero and three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Sarja in southern Idlib, according to local sources. Some sources, including Step News Agency, reported that the airstrikes struck the local headquarters of Ahrar Al Sham and three of those injured were militants. Other

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2483

LOCATION

خشام, Khisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, members of the same family, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khisham in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ezzor according to a local source. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the civilian harm and they identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2481

LOCATION

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria

Between six and 12 civilians, including between two and three children and two women, were killed and between five and 37 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala’at al Madeeq in central Syria according to local sources. Smart News initially reported that eight civilians were killed but

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 12
(2–5 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–40
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
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2480

LOCATION

الفطيرة كرسعة, al Fatira and Karsa'a, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the towns of al Fatira and Karsa’a in Idlib governorate. RFS media office reported: “Russian and Regime air force planes also renewed their air raids on the towns and villages of Al-Fataira, Benin near ariha, Abdin and the southern suburb of

Summary

First published
September 20, 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
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2479

LOCATION

الصهرية, al Sahariya, Hama, Syria

Between one and two civilians, including a woman and her daughter, were killed and at least two others, children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the village of al Sahariya in the northern Hama countryside, according to local sources. Reporters Without Borders said that the airstrikes caused the destruction of a

Summary

First published
September 20, 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
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2473

LOCATION

الهبيط, Al-Habeet, Idlib, Syria

A man died during alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the town of Al-Habeet in rural Idlib, local sources reported. Salah Ahmad Al-Jamili had come to the city from Helfaya, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2472

LOCATION

عطشان, A'tshan, Hama, Syria

Two nurses died following intensive strikes on the Shamna medical organisation in the village of A’tshan, according to local sources. The attacks were attributed to both Russian and Syrian forces by different media outlets. Both nurses were killed when bombs struck an ambulance near the village, activists told Smart News.

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2471

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria

A child was injured in the city of Kafr Nabl as missiles struck a hospital, a local council building, and a civil defence centre, local sources reported. The city was hit by three separate attacks with both Russian and Syrian forces reported to be involved. Flight analysis by the Syrian Archive identified a number of

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2470

LOCATION

معرزيتا , Ma’arzita, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were allegedly killed as planes bombed a primary school in the village of Ma’arzita. Khaled Rzouq Qattish was named dead by local sources alongside two women. Al Jazeera reported two members of the civil defence forces were among those killed. The perpetrator of the attack is unclear with reports of both Russian and Syrian

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 women1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2469

LOCATION

قرية التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians including two women died while working at an obstetrics hospital in Al Tah as alleged Russian and Syrian warplanes bombarded the countryside of southern Idlib, local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one death; it stated: “Suspected Russian warplanes fired a missile on the al Rahman Charity

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2468

LOCATION

الطوب , Al Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed in air raids on the village of Al Toub, local sources reported. Jisir TV attributed the deaths to Russian warplanes, however, Syrian air strikes and snipers were reported in the area by Smart News Agency. No other details are currently known.

Summary

First published
September 19, 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
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2467

LOCATION

البوليل , Al Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least two civilians were killed as alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces bombed the town of Al Bouleil in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Azur, local sources reported. Russian aircraft conducted the raids on residential areas, according to Alitihad Press, who said a total of five civilians died.   Smart News reported the use

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
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

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

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2464

LOCATION

الطيبة , Tayba town,, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A man and his son died as Russian planes allegedly dropped cluster bombs on the town of Tayba, the Euphrates Post reported. Another source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that a “female child” also died at Tayba. Mahmoud Hussein Al-Turki and his son were reportedly killed as several air raids attacked the area at

Summary

First published
September 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 children1 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, Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2465

LOCATION

ﺣﻄﻠﺔ , Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four members of one family were killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian air/ artillery or rocket strike on the village of Hatla in the eastern countryside, according to local sources. Hajj Attallah al-Assaf was the only individual named. Syrian East Agency attributed the “heavy artillery and rocket launchers” to Syrian forces, however most sources

Summary

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