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 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2508

LOCATION

قرية معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians, including a woman, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured in two alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Ma’ar Shoreen in northern Syria, as reported by local sources. According to Smart News, all of those affected by the airstrikes were from the same family and included

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS079

LOCATION

كفرنبل‎, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

A suspected Russian airstrike on the town of Kafr Nabil killed a father and his daughter while injuring the mother and son, according to reports. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center as Hatem Khaled al-Khatieb and his 12-year old daughter Diaa Hatem al Khatieb. However Mr al-Khatieb was later named by All4Syria

Summary

First published
October 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS305

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians – one woman and one female child – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two victims – a female child and a woman – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Hayyan, while the Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
December 23, 2015
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
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS2923

LOCATION

الخوص, Al-Khous, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Al-Khous, according to local media. Both sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strikes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 20, 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
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Incident Code

RS3766

LOCATION

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

A woman was reported killed in Mourek and others injured, when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly fired rockets and heavy artillery shells. The victim was named by local sources as Sa’adiya Qattash. They also said that the shelling originated from Al Kabariya camp. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

First published
June 5, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2018

Incident Code

RS2935

LOCATION

الكنايس أو الكنائس, Kanayes or Kana'es, Idlib, Syria

A man and a woman were killed, and one other was injured in airstrikes which hit the vicinity of Kanayes or Kana’es, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. The bombardement ‘targeted the village of churches” in Kanayes or Kana’es with napalm bombs, and RPG’s – according to local media.

Summary

First published
January 26, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS2939

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Two raids killed as many as two civilians in Kafr Nabil, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while Violations Documentation Centre amongst others blame the Syrian regime. According to media, as many as ten civilians were also injured in the raids, including three

Summary

First published
January 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS3400

LOCATION

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria

A man and a woman died as four air raids loaded with high-explosive missiles struck civilian houses in the town of Al Naqir, local media reported. The attack was widely attributed to Russian warplanes by local sources. Idlib 24 also reported the involvement of Assad’s forces. It came as Civil Defence teams continued to recover

Summary

First published
April 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS625

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Two civilians were killed and between 12 and 20 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources. VDC named the victims, as did Syria Martrys who blamed a Russian strike. According to M_alhameeed one non-combatant died and 20 more were injured in Russian raids on the city.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3838

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Two children, twin brothers, were killed in an airstrike conducted by either the Russian or Syrian regime forces in Ma’arat al-Nu’man, according to local sources. Up to six other civilians were reported wounded. Orient News said: “Two dead as a result of an air strike by the Russian occupation on Maarat al-Numan, south of Idlib.”

Summary

First published
June 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
Other
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS657

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Two adult male civilians died in a raid on Palymra according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Syria Mirror mentioned Russian shelling on the city, but didn’t provide any further details. The Syrian Human Rights Center named two victims. According to

Summary

First published
February 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS721

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

A woman and her teenage son died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local sources. The victims were named by Halab News – who blamed Russia – as Anas Ahmad Khatib and Fatima Khatib. Two additional sources, Allairamon Today and Anas Naif, also named them and said that Russia was responsible

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
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

June 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3856

LOCATION

الحواش, Al Hawash, Hama, Syria

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

Summary

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

Incident date

July 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3883

LOCATION

مرديخ أو تل مرديخ, Mardikh or Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Tal Mardikh, Idlib, on July 10th. ShahbaPress tweeted “two killed, and wounded civilians, in air raids on the town of Tal Mardikh in countryside of # Idlib South.” @SyrianCoaltion stated that “at least two people were killed in the town of Tal Mardikh in countryside

Summary

First published
July 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1251 RS2357

LOCATION

لصبخاوي, Sabkhawi, Raqqa, Syria

At least two civilians including one child died during a night time airstrike on Sabkhawi, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible. Smart, the Shaam News Network and R.Tahrir.Alsham blamed the Coalition for the strike. However, Baladi, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and

Summary

First published
July 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1–2 children)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1166

LOCATION

Hosseineh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Hosseinieh village, according to one source – though it was unclear whether the strike had been carried out by Russia or the regime. According to @DeryNews, “Russian warplanes targeted ‎Hosseinieh cluster bombs, sparking several fires civilian homes and agricultural land”. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

First published
August 18, 2016
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

January 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1818

LOCATION

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria

Civilians were killed and wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes.  Although no sources reported on a specific number of casualties, most sources reported that there were killed and wounded civilians at the scene. Reportedly, a car of displaced civilians fleeing their town as a result

Summary

First published
January 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1951

LOCATION

بعربو, B'arbo, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on B’arbo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Smart News reported that it was a Russian led cluster bomb attack, however, they were “unable to find details on the number and condition of the wounded and whether they included children

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2058

LOCATION

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria

A young man was killed, and several more were wounded, following an air or artillery strike on Halfaya. Sources were conflicted as to who whether this was the work of Russia or the regime, though most reports pointed to the regime. Most sources blamed Syrian regime rocket launches and barrel bombs. There were no specific reports

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2246

LOCATION

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and another civilian, a woman, was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Sokhna in eastern Homs, according to a single source. The Smart News Agency reported that the city was under the control of ISIS at the time of the strike – and that Russian planes

Summary

First published
May 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2189

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed between one and two civilians and injured two others in Kafr Sanja in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April. Multiple sources reported that one of the martyrs was a child, and one source identified the other civilian killed as the child’s father.

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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.
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2358

LOCATION

رسم العبد , Rasim Al-Abid, Hama, Syria

Two women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Rasim Al-Abid, according to sources on the ground.

Summary

First published
July 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
View Incident

Incident date

June 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2305

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

There were reports of unspecific numbers of civilian casualties in Akeirbat following airstrikes on the vicinity. @MasarPressNet attributed blame to “warplanes” who “launched several raids on Akeirabat”. However, the Step News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes launched several raids targeting the area of Akeirbat and its environs in the eastern suburb of Hama [with] reports

Summary

First published
June 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Incident Code

RS2621

LOCATION

صبيخان, Sabikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed and several were left wounded following alleged Russain airstrikes on a water-crossing in Sabikahn, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Several sources reported that Russian-waged missiles had struck an “airfield waterway” or a “water-crossing”, reportedly to hinder the escape of people in the village, who were fleeing by boat, as

Summary

First published
October 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS2891

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported killed and wounded by airstrikes in Taman’a. Sources mostly blamed Russian warplanes, however, Shaam reported that both Russia and the Syrian regime were to blame for the strikes. The aerial bombardment, which consisted of rockets and cluster bombs, also struck cities and towns of “Tumana, Khan Shaykhoun, Jirjnaz

Summary

First published
January 12, 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.
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3788

LOCATION

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians reported killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, on June 10th. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two civilians from the same family” perished in the attack, while numerous other sources also cite two deaths. The Syrian Human Rights Committee named the two victims as  Abdullah Muhammad al-Ismail and Sattouf Ahmad Al-Ismail.

Summary

First published
June 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS444

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named two adult male civilians as killed “as a result of the explosion of remnants of a missile from Russian shelling“, however in the notes of Abdul Naser Younes al-Khattab there is a video of the victim entitled ‘the Jihadist  Abdul Naser Younes Al khattab in one of the field hospitals in the Hama countryside’,

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS604

LOCATION

ضاحية الكهرباء, Dahiat al Kharaba, Aleppo, Syria

Shaam News Network reported two children killed in alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes continued their raids on the town of Khan Al A’ssal and Dahiat al Kahraba neighbourhood which led to the dead of two children [girls] in the latter.” Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that two unidentified civilians died in a

Summary

First published
February 13, 2016
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2019

Incident Code

RS3847

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

One to two civilians including a child were reported killed in airstrikes on the outskirts of Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on June 26th. Along with other sources citing similar figures, Syria.liveuamap stated that “two civilians were killed and others wounded on the outskirts of Ma’arat al-Nu’man as a result of the targeting of their homes

Summary

First published
June 26, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
Other
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS3143

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Dear Al Asafir, Damascus, Syria

Two civilians were reported to have been killed in airstrikes by both the Syrian regime and Russia. Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report on this raid. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident