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

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2085

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

As many as seven civilians were killed, and seven civilians were wounded, following an airstrike on Kafr Zita. Sources were confused as to who was to blame, some blamed Russian warplanes, others the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) blamed the Syrian-Russian alliance.  There was also confusion as to how many casualties there were

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2083

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles.  One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2084

LOCATION

ابو حنايا, Abo Hanaya, Hama, Syria

A single source reported there were “Dead and wounded by Russian air strikes on the village of Abu Hanaya east of Hama”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2082

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed, and as many as three were wounded, in an airstrike on Khan Al-Subul. All sources either blamed Russia for the raids or did not attribute any blame. According to Al Jazeera, those who were wounded were left in a serious condition, and there was considerable material damage – and livestock

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2081

LOCATION

الضاهرية, Dahiriya, Idlib, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Dahiriya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Sources were conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were women or girls. For example, AMC reported two women were killed, whereas Al Jazeera reported two girls were killed. It cannot be ruled

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(0–2 children0–2 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
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2080

LOCATION

الحور, Hor, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A mother and her two children were killed, and as many as four more civilians were injured, following an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Hor, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Al Jazeera initially reported that “a girl and her mother were killed in the bombing” on Hor, however, later reports

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2076

LOCATION

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

As many as eight civilians were wounded – including women and children – in an airstrike on Bdama. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming Russia and others the Syrian regime. EdlibNN  tweetted that “Russian warplanes bombard the perimeter of the town of Bdama in rural Jisr al-Shughour”. Syria News Desk and

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2079

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that Zayed Awad al Rajab was the victim of Russian warplane shelling on Kafr Zita.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2078

LOCATION

عين السودة, Ain Al-Sawda, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including an adult male and a male child – and between four and five others were injured – including a woman – following airstrikes in Ain Al-Sawda. All sources blamed Russian raids for the strikes, except a local tweet, Abdlrazak-sbeh, who simply alleged that “air raids that struck the village” causing the

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2077

LOCATION

ابو الضهور, Abo Al-Zuhur, Idlib, Syria

One adult male was killed, and another man was injured in an airstrike on Abo Al-Zuhur. All sources blamed Russian raids for the airstrike.  Smart news reported that “shelling took [place in] the town of Abu-Zuhurt (50 km east of Idlib), killing one civilian and injuring another from the village of Umm al-Karamil in Aleppo. The

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2070

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

Three civilians from one family were killed in an alleged Russian raid on Kfar Nbouda, according to reports from the ground. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. The Smart News Agency reported: “Three civilians from a family were killed on Monday night [April 3rd] by a bombardment of warplanes likely to be Russian on

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2075

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

As many as eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood in Hamouriya. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime except Smart who pointed to Russian warplanes. The shelling reportedly occurred in conjunction with many other raids on towns in the countryside of

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2074

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Up to 18 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime – though the majority of sources pointed to Russia. Four rockets were allegedly fired at one residential building,

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 18
(2–13 children4–7 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2073

LOCATION

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An elderly woman was killed when her home in the agricultural neighbourhood of Ainjara, Aleppo was struck by missiles. Sources all reported that Russia was to be held accountable for this raid. According to sources, others were also wounded. Footage published by Smart News, shows the damage left behind and the remnants of the missile shell.

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS662a RS2072

LOCATION

سلقين, Salqeen, Idlib, Syria

As many as 37 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Salqeen – according to local sources. Up to 17 children and five women were allegedly killed in this raid on the residential neighbourhood. According to Euphrates Post, “four of them a family from eastern Deir Ezzor”. The

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 37
(14–17 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2071

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Up to 11 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, following an alleged missile strike on Jisir Al-Shoghour. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes for the incident. Some, however, remained impartial, and two blamed the Syrian regime. According to sources, three children and women were killed in the raid. LCCSY and Step News put the

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 11
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
9–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2064

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

As many as five civilians were killed – including a child and two women – and others were injured, following an alleged air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Abohanin617 and Shehab

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2063

LOCATION

النقير, Al-Nakir, Idlib, Syria

One adult female civilian was reported  wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Al-Nakir. There were no details of any other wounded civilians or any casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2062

LOCATION

بزابور, Bzabor, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzabor, local media said. Both sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes. According to SMO, “activists reported that the Russian occupation aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Khan Sheikun and the town of Bazabor, killing three people

Summary

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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2060

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and up to 15 more were injured following an alleged Russia or Assad regime missile strike on Khan Sheikhoun. Syria News Desk said that up to 20 people were killed and wounded, specifying that three civilians were killed, meaning as many as 17 were likely injured in the raid.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–17
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2059

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

As many as three civilians from the same family – including a child and a woman – were killed, and up to four more were wounded, following a raid on Kafr Nbouda. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, except the Syrian Network for Human Righhst who pointed to both Russia and the Assad regime.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2068

LOCATION

كفرناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Kafr Naha – though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were to blame. Syria_ar noted that the “Al-Rahal Society” in the town was struck. According to the Step News Agency, “Russian air raids targeted Kafr Naha and its outskirts and

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2067

LOCATION

حي جوبر, Jobar neighbourhood, Damascus, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported an unspecified number of dead and wounded civilians in heavy strikes by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes on Damascus’s Jobar neighbourhood. Reports said that there had been as many as 40 airstrikes within just a few hours Aljazeera: “Russian and Syrian planes have carried out dozens of raids on the Jubar

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
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
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2066

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported the death of one civilian and injury of several more in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Harasta. The Smart News Agency reported: “The civil defense said that a civilian was killed and another wounded by two aircraft strikes on the area linking the town of Madara and the city of

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2061

LOCATION

الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians – a mother and her two children – died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on al Habeet, according to sources on the ground. According to the Step News Agency, “Russian warplanes targeted the town of Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib with twenty-three

Summary

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

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2069

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed – including an entire family of four people – and as many as seven other civilians were injured – including three children – in an airstrike which struck the residential neighbourhood of Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, though some, such as Smart

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
3–7
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2057

LOCATION

ريف حلب الغربي, Various location in western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria

On April 2, 2017, six civilians were killed, including four children and two women, and as many as eight others were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on various villages in the Western part of Aleppo’s countryside, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or “unknown warplanes”. According to sources Kafrnah, Khan al-Asal, Babsaka,

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2056

LOCATION

وطبة, Watba, Idlib, Syria

Some civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian raid which struck Watba, Idlib, according to sources on the ground. There were no reports of civilian fatalities. Both reports blamed Russian warplanes for the strike. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident