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 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1372

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Kafr Zita in Hama – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Syria News Desk reported: “Two civilians were killed yesterday evening [Sept 30th] due to the Russian warplanes targeting the city of Kafr Zita which

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
20
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

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1438

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Mayssar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network on October 12th, “Russian and Assad aircraft did not stop from flying in the skies of Aleppo and its countryside and launched dozens of air

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2065

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

One or two civilians was killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged rocket attack in Hamouriya in Damascus, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime, except the Step News Agency, who blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.  According to sources, one

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2263

LOCATION

عقيربات , Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Civilians were reportedly killed and others wounded in ‘intensive’ airstrikes on Akeirbat allegedly conducted by Russian and Syrian warplanes on the 31st of May, a local source reported to Smart News. Rozana Radio, however, reported that there were no civilian casualties in the strikes that landed on the villages of Abu Habilat, Al Harrdana, Abu

Summary

First published
May 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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

August 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS2388

LOCATION

حسيا, Hasya, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that “in the countryside of Hama, the Russian warplanes targeted several cars carrying displaced people is Hasya. There were reports of dead and wounded civilians amongst those struck.” There are no specific numbers. No other details at this time.

Summary

First published
August 15, 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 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

May 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3655

LOCATION

أرنبة, Arnaba, Idlib, Syria

A woman and two children of the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Arnaba, Idlib governorate, on May 4th, 2019, according to local sources. According to the White Helmets, “two children were killed and a child was seriously injured as a result of a military airstrike near a school

Summary

First published
May 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS392

LOCATION

ماير, Mayer, Aleppo, Syria

One to two civilians were allegedly killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mayer, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News said two non-combatants died in a raid by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a person was killed when warplanes believed to be Russian bombed areas in

Summary

First published
January 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

RS3268

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in Douma. No civilian victims were named, though a non-civilian, Hothaifa al-Tout, was reported killed in “clashes with Assad”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
March 14, 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
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

February 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS531

LOCATION

العلقمية, Al A'alkamiyah, Aleppo, Syria

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al A’alkamiyah, according to multiple local sources. The two victims were named as Riad Jamil Ismail Deebo and Khaled Eido by the VDC, Damascus Center for Human Rights, Halab News and Elsouriya Lil E’elam,  

Summary

First published
February 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS884

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
June 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3242

LOCATION

بنش, Bnesh, Idlib, Syria

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

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

LOCATION

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria

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

Summary

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

Incident date

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1222

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

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

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1287

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab , Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

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

Incident date

November 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1568

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

First published
November 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1650

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

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

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1849

LOCATION

باتبو , Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
January 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1791

LOCATION

المشهد, Al Mashad, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to ten people were injured in an air and artillery strike which struck a residential neighbourhood in Al Mashed, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. One attributed blame to both Russia and Syrian regime artillery. The other two remained impartial. There were no specific numbers of killed reported, however, the Step

Summary

First published
December 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1967

LOCATION

الهبا, Al-Hiba, Homs, Syria

A single source reported that an elderly man and his grandson were killed, and one other civilian was injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Hiba. A local source told Smart that the village was under the control of ISIS. The child was aged six. The injured civilian only suffered from mild wounds. There are no

Summary

First published
March 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2092

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

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

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2408

LOCATION

النعيمية, Al-Na'imiya, Hama, Syria

Two sources reported that alleged Russian airstrikes had killed one woman and her three-months-old child as strikes were launched in the village of al-Na’imiya, Hama. Both sources attributed blame to Russia and while both reported the death of the woman and her child, @AhmadShbli was the only one identifying them by name and age.

Summary

First published
August 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3614

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nubul, Idlib, Syria

A child and a woman were reportedly killed and more than a dozen civilians were injured in shelling on the town of Kafr Nabil in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. In an initial post, Smart News blamed the Russian forces but later blamed the Syrian regime instead. Other local sources blamed the Syrian

Summary

First published
April 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–22
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2691

LOCATION

البويطة, Buweita, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

A man and a child were killed in airstrikes on village of Al-Bawiyyatah in the town of Tal Al-Daman. Sources all attributed the blame to Moscow. Sources are conflicted as to whether the child was male or female – VDC amongst others reporting the child was female – while others reported the child was male.

Summary

First published
November 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

December 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2777

LOCATION

الجلاء, Jala'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed, including a 12-year-old girl, due to “barbaric shelling” in the town of Jala’a, local media reported. Only one source blamed Russia, while the others blamed “unknown” warplanes. While there were no reports of any wounded civilians, local media did report the destruction of several houses and a medical

Summary

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

Incident date

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2825

LOCATION

الخوين, Al Khwain, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Khwain, according to reports from the ground. Local sources either attributed the blame to the Syrian regime or to Russia. The only civilian harm allegation is from Step News Agency who reported that “The Russian and Syrian air raids

Summary

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

October 4, 2015

Incident Code

RS017

LOCATION

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed following an airstrike on Gharnata near Talbiseh city, in Homs governorate. While some sources attributed the attack to Russian aircraft, the Assad regime also reported carrying out strikes in the vicinity, with state news agency SANA reporting that “the Air Force destroyed nests and mechanisms for terrorist organizations… in the

Summary

First published
October 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
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

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3730

LOCATION

خان العسل, Khan Al Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were killed and others injured in a Russian airstrike on the town of Khan Al Assal countryside, West Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. Some of the local sources said that airstrike targeted a mosque there. @NagiNajjar tweeted “two martyrs, after an airstrike that targeted a mosque in the town of Khan Al-Asal in

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS339

LOCATION

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians including one unnamed woman and a member of the White Helmets were killed – and 10 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that a woman died when Russian warplanes targeted the town in several spatial missile strikes. They said

Summary

First published
January 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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