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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2463

LOCATION

ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺣﺎﻭﻱ ﺧﺸﺎﻡ, Hawi Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three young girls died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Hawi Khasham, local sources reported. Two daughters of Khalil Al-Ibrahim Al-Kuban, aged three and 18 months respectively, were both named dead alongside Mahmoud Al-Qandar Al-Kabban’s 13-year-old child. Most sources on the ground attributed the bombardment to Russian planes, however the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2–3 children)
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2461

LOCATION

موحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One female was killed due to alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Mohassein, local media reported. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2459

LOCATION

البوليل, Albouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five to eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Albouleil, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime raids for the casualties. A river bank in Albouleil was reportedly struck. Between one and five children were included in the death toll. An unidentified body was also discovered. There are

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(1–5 children)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1499

LOCATION

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians, including two women and two children, died following airstrikes on residential areas of Al Kornish, Al Mayadin, according to multiple local sources. At present it is unclear who was responsible as the majority of sources did not identify the aircraft. Russia was blamed by four reports, the US-led Coalition was accused

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children3 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
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1497 RS2456

LOCATION

مظلوم, Masloum Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian woman died with her two children in an aerial attack on the the village of Mazloum Tahtani (12km east of Deir Ezzor), close to the primary school and the mosque, according to local media. Step News however, out the death toll as high as five. Shabha also referred to civilians wounded in the event,

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1498 RS2457

LOCATION

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 19
(7 children1 woman1 man)
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

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2454

LOCATION

مدينة موحسن حي البوسويد, Al Bouswid neighborhood. Mohassein city , Deir Ezzor, Syria

A family of five was killed on a boat on the Euphrates river by an alleged Russian airstrike, local sources reported. Samer Turki Al Abdullah and Khader Turki Al-Abdullah, along with three children, were trying to escape from the town of Mohassein, according to the Euphrates Post. They were pulled from the water but did

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2453

LOCATION

طابية جزيرة , Tabya Jzaeera, near Al Sekka, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five members of one family were among those killed in an alleged Russian bombardment on the village of Tabiya Jazira, east of Deir al-Zour, local sources reported. The Ismail al-Jadan family died when four shells hit the area of the town near the railway, Syrian Press Centre said.  A total of 13 civilians were reportedly

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(2 women)
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2458

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Latamina, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime for the raids. Some sources reported that there were no casualties. There were several strikes with shells, artillery and RPG’s. One source reported that there was some material damage.

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2455

LOCATION

الأزغير, Al'azghir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and nine civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al’azghir, according to local media. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
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 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1495

LOCATION

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two to six civilians died in airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and not the camp. Marsad Al Hasaka named victims. The source added

Summary

First published
September 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1496 RS2451

LOCATION

شميطية, Shumaytiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One woman, died after unidentified warplanes conducted a raid on the town of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة) in rural west Deir Ezzor, local sources said. There is limited information on the incident, Airwars will update the entry when new information arises. Additionally, Deir Ezzor 24 and Asharq Asouri named two adult males as killed at a refugee camp

Summary

First published
September 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman2 men)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS2449

LOCATION

الصعوة, Al Sa'wa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians were killed and several others were wounded when warplanes bombed a camp for displaced persons near the village of al-Sawa in Deir Ezzor Governorate on September 15th 2017. All three victims were identified by the Syrian Press Center and Marsad al Hasaka. It is not known which belligerent was behind this airstrike.  

Summary

First published
September 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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
Unknown, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1494 Rs2450

LOCATION

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft. According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1490 RS2438

LOCATION

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike. According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1489 RS2448

LOCATION

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita. Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1487 RS2446

LOCATION

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died in an airstrike on Mrat, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame for this death. According to Syrianoor, “Activists confirmed that more than 100 civilians – mostly children and women – died during four massacres committed by Russian warplanes and international coalition aircraft in the city

Summary

First published
September 14, 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1486 RS2445

LOCATION

البصيرة, Al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died in an airstrike on al Basira, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the regime were to blame. Reports said that the strikes hit to post office building. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Moen_dndil attributed the event to the Coalition. However,

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1485 RS2443

LOCATION

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and nine civilians died including three children and one woman and up to 17 others were wounded in airstrikes on the al Qasr area of Bokros Tahtani, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Step News Agency and

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(3 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
17
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1484 RS2442

LOCATION

جديد بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A major civilian casualty incident took place on the village of Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Reporting remains contested and various local sources have blamed Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition. Between 11 and 15 civilians died, “dozens” were reportedly wounded, and the death toll included at least one women and five children. The

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 15
(5 children1 woman5 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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
8 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1483 RS2441

LOCATION

خشام, Kisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten to 12 civilians, mostly children and women, were reported killed following alleged airstrikes on Khishham, 15 km southeast of Deir Ezzor. The majority of sources accused Russian warplanes of committing the offence. However both the Regime and the US-led Coalition were also mentioned in reporting. Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes used “cluster

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(9–10 children1–2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1482 RS2440

LOCATION

طابية شامية, Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that five people were killed following airstrikes on Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Three of those who died were named in two separate reports from Euphrates Post. Sources said the location of the incident was the “water crossing” at Tabiyeh Shamieh. According to the Syrian Observatory some civilians were “permanently disabled” following

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women2 men)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1480

LOCATION

IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A major civilian casualty incident allegedly took place at an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. Al Yaqeen reported about 100 displaced people were killed, mostly women and children, following an alleged aerial bombardment by the US-led Coalition at the camp (pictured). However this was contested – with Euphrates Post asserting that

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
100 – 120
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

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

RS2447

LOCATION

العشارة شارع الحكمة , al Hikma street, Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An airstrike hit the town of Al-A’shara in Deir Ezzor on September 14th 2017. It is unclear if any civilians were killed; some sources including the Syrian Human Rights Committee reported the death of one girl, Rahef Hussein Al-Ali Ma’and, but others stated that she was only injured and that no civilians were killed. One

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 children)
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
Unknown, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1481 RS2439

LOCATION

الميادين, Al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In what has been described as a massacre, between five and 45 civilians were killed and 14 to 90 were injured in alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on the city of Al-Mayadeen in Deir Ezzor, described by local sources as the “most important stronghold for Daesh in the region”. An initial report from

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 45
(2–3 children1 woman6 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–90
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1478 RS2436

LOCATION

مظلوم, Mazloum village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to seven civilians including two women and a girl died in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in Mazloum village, eastern Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Though local sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame, the village did appear to have been

Summary

First published
September 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child3 women1 man)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2437

LOCATION

قرية الجنينة, Genina, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Sources on the ground reported that six civilians were killed and a further 10 were injured in an airstrike allegedly conducted by Russian forces on the village of Genina on September 13th 2017. According to the Smart News Agency, “Witnesses confirmed the killing of six civilians and wounding ten people this morning, air bomb likely

Summary

First published
September 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2428

LOCATION

بلدة ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed allegedly by warplanes in the town of Dhiban in eastern Deir Ezzor Governorate at around 2am on 12th September 2017. Multiple sources confirmed that one man, Hassan al-Mazal, and one girl were killed in this airstrike. The girl was reported as the daughter of either Thamer al-Frikhan or Thamer al-Khalif al-Sari.

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1476 RS2434

LOCATION

Khisham town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local reports documented four civilians killed in airstrikes on Khisham town,13 kilometres east of Deir Ghaza, eastern Deir Ezzor. Euphrates Post referred to “warplanes” and alleged that they targeted “the house of Awad al-Azar in the town of Khisham, opposite the divider, killing four people and wounding many civilians yesterday evening”, though they did not

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2432

LOCATION

قرية الجيعة, Al-Jaya'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Al-Jaya’a village in Deir Ezzor Governorate was hit by air strikes on September 12th 2017, reportedly killing one girl and injuring five civilians from the same family.  Multiple sources accused the Russian forces of carrying out these strikes. No further information was provided as to the identity of the girl killed or the members of

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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