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

June 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS942

LOCATION

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that an airstrike on the town of al-Zirba killed one civilian, and wounded several others, though it is currently unclear whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Both Halab News Network (HNN), Thiqa News Agency and Halab news identified the victim by name, and many media, such as

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS3127

LOCATION

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

The head of the Syrian Civil Defence unit in al-Marj was killed whilst carrying out operations, local media reported. Sources blamed the Syrian – Russian alliance for the strikes. LCCSY reported there were heavy raids on the vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS4035

LOCATION

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians including two children were reported killed and 20 others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on August 16th, 2019. Dala’a Mutee’ Bakir or Dala’a Khaldoun Bakir was reported killed first, and then three other wounded civilians died after few days due to their wounds sustained on August

Summary

First published
August 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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
22 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1410

LOCATION

الشفونية, al Shifonia, Damascus, Syria

One civilian died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground. SRV News reported that  “one person was killed and others injured following Russian air raids on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta”. According

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1474

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Halab News named a civilian as killed in an alleged Russian strike on Kafr Halab. According to Al Jazeera, “cluster bombs and rocket-propelled grenades targeted the town of Kafr Halab in the western countryside.” @FREE_TV_SYRIA, @24Aleppo, @ShahbaPress were among other sources reporting that Russian cluster bombs hit the train station in the village. @24Aleppo said

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1673

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Multiple sources reported that up to three airstrikes struck the city of Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, killing one woman and injuring up to another nine civilians. The female victim was identified by many sources. It was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Several sources said that the strikes hit residential areas, including

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1564

LOCATION

جسر الشغور مخيم الجميلية , Al Jamilia camp, north of Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

One woman died and as many as dozens more civilians were wounded in an airstrike by an unidentified belligerent on the Al Jamilia camp for displaced persons, north of Jisr al Shoughour, in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. Step blamed  a drone strike. The source reported: “A woman was killed and two other civilians were

Summary

First published
November 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2003

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

One child was reported killed and others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Akeirbat, Hama, according to one local source – Smart News Agency. Smart reported: “a child is killed and others wounded in raids thought to be Russian on the outskirts of Akeirbat in eastern Hama”. There were no other known sources for

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

March 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2037

LOCATION

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and at least two others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against Al Fatira village in southern Idlib. All sources that named a culprit identified Russia as responsible while @EdlibNN did not blame anyone for the airstrikes. Hamoud Al Awad described the victim of the airstrikes, Abdullah Fayez al

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2052

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the evening of April 1st, warplanes, likely to be Russian, bombed the city of Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media. A man and a woman were allegedly both wounded, however the man later succumbed to his wounds in the hospital. Some reports allocated this strike to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russian

Summary

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

Incident date

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

March 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1986

LOCATION

كفرناها , Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

One man was killed and four other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a residential area in Kafr Naha on 19th March 2017, according to sources on the ground.. The raid reportedly resulted in a fire which led to further damage.

Summary

First published
March 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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

August 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2384

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One man was killed, and others were reportedly wounded, following an airstrike on Hatla. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. some blaming the Syrian regime, while others attributed blame to Moscow. Baladi even blamed “unknown warplanes” for the raids. Jisirtv described the bombardment as a missile attack, while others

Summary

First published
August 12, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2608

LOCATION

معبر في الميادين, Crossing in the al Mayadeen area, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In this single-source event, one civilian man was reported killed by alleged Russian airstrikes in the crossing in the Al Mayadeen area of Deir Ezzor, Al Mayadeen Facebook page reported. The Al Mayadeen Facebook page mentioned the death of Mahmud Hamwi as it was listing victims from alleged Russian strikes in different parts of al-Mayadeen

Summary

First published
October 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2832

LOCATION

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

One civilian was killed and several others were left wounded as an alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrike hit Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, local media reported. @aladeyeh and Masar Press, who both identified Russia as the culprit, reported one fatality and two wounded. Meanwhile, @OsamaKaial reported that the strike had wounded several civilians. It was the

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS3621

LOCATION

بادية ريف ديرالزور الغربي, Badiyah of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that a child died of her injuries on April 25th after alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Badiyah (the desert) in the western Deir Ezzor countryside several days earlier. @DeirEzzor24 tweeted: “The child Sumaya Saleh Al Bayram died of injuries she received several days ago in aerial bombardment by #Russia on the Badiyah

Summary

First published
April 23, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3670

LOCATION

أم نير,, Um Neir, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Neir, Idlib governorate, on May 6th, according to local media. Hmaid al Mohammad was killed as fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian fired a missile on Um Neir village in Idlib, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. An unknown number of civilians were also

Summary

First published
May 6, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Incident Code

RS3684

LOCATION

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

A young civilian male from the town of Latamna was killed by Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Zakat in Hama on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV wrote that “a young man from the town of Al Latamneh was killed by artillery shelling on the village of Zakat in

Summary

First published
May 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS214

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Bab al Neirab neighbourhood of Aleppo. Tweeting on the same day, the Syrian Documentation Centre reported that “An air raid by Russian warplanes on several locations in Al Neirab neighbourhood has led to human losses

Summary

First published
November 30, 2015
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3732

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

A woman was reported killed and a child injured in an airstrike on several residential buildings on the outskirts of the city of Al Atareb west of Aleppo, according to local sources. The woman was identified as Mariam Bakkour. Step News reported that a woman was killed and a child injured in what it believed

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
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2019

Incident Code

RS3756

LOCATION

العنكاوي, Al Ankawi, Hama, Syria

A man was reported killed when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly struck Al-Ankawi village in Sahl al-Ghab northwest of Ham with heavy artillery and rocket shelling. According to Shaam News, “the rebels targeted the positions of the Assad forces at Hama military airport with Grad missiles in response to the shelling of civilians in

Summary

First published
June 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3796

LOCATION

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in artillery shelling on Mourek, Hama, in the night between June 13th and 14th. Shaam News stated that “Russian and Assad  warplanes launched dozens of air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and missile attacks on [a number of] towns and villages”, and cited the death of one civilian in Mourek

Summary

First published
June 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

RS3272

LOCATION

حفسرجة, Hafsarja, Idlib, Syria

The Smart news agency reported: “According to the civil defence, Russian warplanes targeted the village of Hafsarja (30 km north-west of the city of Idlib) with a raid that led to the killing of a civilian and wounding of four others, including a woman. The civil defence helped them to medical points.” @ab_jarah tweeted: “A

Summary

First published
March 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–7
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

February 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS695

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One adult male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. The victim was listed by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. He was also listed by Syria2011 and Syrian Human Rights Committee, both of whom blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
February 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS727

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One 14-year-old girl, Nour Ahmad al Abdulla ‘al Najm’, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hazm farms, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

June 30, 2019

Incident Code

RS3860

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and several others injured as a result of an airstrike on Kafar Sijna, Idlib, on June 30th. Ariha Today stated that “Russian warplanes launched air raids on the town of Khan Sheikhoun and the town of #Kafar Sijna in the southern countryside of Idlib, causing the fall of a civilian

Summary

First published
June 30, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS888

LOCATION

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

One girl died and many others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hor. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, but provided no further details. According to Pressbshalmoon, a “little girl” died and “many others” were injured in a Russian raid. A number of other sources also said a child died, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

July 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3937

LOCATION

البدامة, Al Badama, Idlib, Syria

Syrian regime or Russian forces allegedly bombed the town of Badama with rocket-propelled grenades which Step News Agency reported contained “incendiary bombs”. Local sources claimed one civilian was killed and three others injured. The Syrian Human Rights Committee named the victim as Obada Kahil. No other details are known at this time.

Summary

First published
July 22, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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

August 1, 2019

Incident Code

RS3987

LOCATION

كفر نبل, Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria

One woman was reported killed, and four to six civilians including two children injured, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery on Kafar Nubul , Idlib, on August 1st. Out of the injured, four belong to one family. It was reported that Kafar Nubul was targeted with two raids on that day. The

Summary

First published
August 1, 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
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–6
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1097

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

One adult male died in an airstrike on Heesh, Idlib, according to local media. According to Amagharib Today, he died on August 5th from injures he sustained in the attack. Only one source, the Violations Documentation Center, blamed Russia for his death. Other sources didn’t apportion blame and there are no other details present at

Summary

First published
August 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident