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

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS192

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

According to Zaitonmag, Russian aircraft carried out a raid on Sarmada on the Turkish border, “targeting a garage of relief trucks which has led to anonymous martyrs and two people slightly injured.“ The Syrian Network also reported the event, saying the attack by warplanes destroyed eight trucks and a water tank and killed one person.

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
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
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2982

LOCATION

آفس, Afis, Idlib, Syria

According to local sources, a child was killed in Afis, Idlib, as alleged Russain warplanes struck the town. Step News Agency reported that “the Russian military launched successive raids” mentioning several locations, including Afis, and that it caused the death of one child. Unlike other sources, Step News Agency, wrote on February 6th that the

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2993

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

One civilian, allegedly a child, was killed by an Assad or Russian waged assault in the town of Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Harasta was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), this was the

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS481

LOCATION

حي الطحطوح, Al Tahtu (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Amid multiple air raids on civilian towns in Deiz ez-Zor, Russian warplanes are alleged to have killed an adult male civilian at Al Tahtu.  

Summary

First published
January 27, 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 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS3323

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and several civilians, among which children, were wounded in alleged artillery and airstrikes on the city of Harasta. Conflicting reports blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. While most sourced mentioned 1 casualty, @hmadaataya reported on Twitter that nine civilians were killed. Smart News Agency reported that more than

Summary

First published
March 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 9
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS673

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that Russia carried out an airstrike on Babis, killing several civilians and wounding more. Most reports did not mention deaths but said there had been a number of injured non-combatants, with Micro Syria reporting that “many” were wounded. Shahba put the number of injured at four.  

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS705

LOCATION

حلب, Aleppo, Syria

One adult civilian died and three children were reported wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo, according to local sources. The VDC named a victim as  Ahmad Abd al-Kareem al-Shaikh and blamed Russia. A Tweet by Ahat Watan said: “Young Ahmed Abdul Karim Sheikh, another martyr, God willing, was killed by the criminal Russian airstrike this

Summary

First published
March 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS737

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One civilian died in Talbisah while trying to defuse a Russian cluster bomb, according to multiple sources. Other reports said that both Russian strikes and regime artillery shelling killed a number of other civilians, though didn’t specify numbers. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Houssien Abdul Kareem Al Deheik, a 38-year-old trainer in

Summary

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

July 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3900

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on July 13th, 2019. At first, only a woman was reported killed and at least two civilians wounded when alleged Russian or Syrian shelled Kafar Zeita. In addition, Abdullah al-Aboud, a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense, was wounded while searching for survivors

Summary

First published
July 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 – 2
(1 woman1 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1027

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed and nine more were injured in an airstrike by alleged Russian warplanes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media. Jisrtv reported that the attack occurred between 1.00 and 1.06. All reports claimed to sight Russian warplanes, who reportedly carried out cluster missile attacks on Jisr al Shoughour. According to Smart

Summary

First published
July 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1695 RS2797

LOCATION

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2773

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One male child was killed in airstrikes on Abu Kamal. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. The Violations Documentation Centre said the victim died on November 28th. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
November 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1107

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and three to five were wounded, including women and children, from vacuum missile, cluster bomb or artillery strikes on a Palestinian refugee camp in Khan al Sheikh, according to local media. Five or more raids were carried out by warplanes, with most sources attributing the attacks to Russia. However,

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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 14, 2019

Incident Code

RS4025

LOCATION

مدايا, Madaya, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Madaya, Idlib, on August 14th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Hussein Ali al Rayya, from Ma’aret Harma village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes carried out a strike using machine guns on the vicinity of Madaya village in

Summary

First published
August 14, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS4088

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Tamani’a, Idlib, Syria

One civilian reportedly died and another was injured in an alleged Russian strike on Al Tamani’a. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, ” a civilian was killed due to a Russian bombardment that targeted the farms of Al-Taman’aa town south of Idlib”. Edlib Media Centre said that a man died in a Russian

Summary

First published
August 28, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1301

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes killed one civilian, a young man, and wounded two others on the road outside the Maskana souk, Aleppo, local reports alleged. “Airstrikes also targeted the main highway near Bado neighbourhood and the entrance to the souq of Maskana city in the eastern suburbs where a young man was martyred

Summary

First published
September 22, 2016
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

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 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

June 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2269a

LOCATION

طهماز , Tahmaz, Hama, Syria

An internally displaced man was killed due to airstrikes on Tahmaz, according to local media. Some sources reported that Russian warplanes were responsible for the airstrike, while others reported it was attributable to the Syrian regime. Hosain Obaid al-Asaad had fled from Akeirbat. Some other civilians were allegedly wounded. There are no other details at

Summary

First published
June 4, 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

March 9, 2019

Incident Code

RS3596

LOCATION

قرية المنطار في جسر الشغور,, Al Mentar village in Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Following the alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mentar detailed in event R3385, local media said that Russian warplanes returned to the area during the rescue attempts and struck the Syrian Civil Defence as they went about their duties. Multiple sources reported that SCD volunteer and journalist Mahmoud Abdel Al was killed – in addition to

Summary

First published
March 9, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2644

LOCATION

البوليل, Al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A man was killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Bouleil, according to local media. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute blame to any belligerent. According to local media, the bombardments were heavy and occurred during the night. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
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

November 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2675

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian was killed and many more were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russia for the strikes. Al Mayadeen News reported that “The Russian Defense Ministry announced that a group of aircraft “To-22 M3” of the Russian air force struck the sites of the

Summary

First published
November 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2685

LOCATION

رسم العبد, Rasim Al-Abid, Idlib, Syria

One child was killed, and others were wounded, due to alleged Russian airstrikes on a refugee camp in Rasim Al-Abid. Many sources blamed Russia, while the others blamed “unknown warplanes” for the strikes. Some later research showed that sources attributed blame to Syrian regime planes too. While Smart News Agency reported that “Civilian killed by

Summary

First published
November 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2722

LOCATION

سنجار, Sanjar, Idlib, Syria

As many as 12 civilians were wounded, one one woman was killed, in Russian phosphorous strikes on Sanjar, according to local media. Some sources reported on material damage only, with no casualties. Smart however reported that “12 civilians were wounded Saturday in an air strike on the village of Sara in Sinjar district (50 km

Summary

First published
November 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12
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 30, 2019

Incident Code

RS3635

LOCATION

أرينبة, Ariyanba, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that a woman was killed by shelling in the village of Ariyanba in the southern countryside of Idlib. Two or three other people were reported wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. HalabTodayTV added that dozens of families were displaced as a result of

Summary

First published
April 30, 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 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS106

LOCATION

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

One child was reported killed and two or more non-combatants injured following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jbala. While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.  

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident