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

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2044

LOCATION

حقل شاعر النفطي, Sha'er oil field, Homs, Syria

At least two civilians were killed, including a child, and four others were injured in airstrikes against the Sha’er oil field in eastern Homs, local media reported. The civilians that were injured were transferred to a hospital in the nearby village of Hamadi Omar in eastern Hama. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2045

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and between five and six others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Maarat al Numan in the Idlib countryside. The majority of local sources only reported injuries while Syrian Mirror reported that there were also deaths of civilians from the airstrikes. The injured civilians were rescued

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–6
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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2043

LOCATION

جبل الشيخ, Jabal al Sheikh, Aleppo, Syria

At least three people were killed in airstrikes against Jabal al Sheikh in the Aleppo governorate, local media said, It was unclear whether those that were killed were militants or civilians. According to Halab Today TV, the airstrikes were carried out by Russia planes. However, only one source reported on the incident.

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2039

LOCATION

دير الشرقي, Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Nine named civilians, including up to five children and one woman, were killed and between 15 and 20 others were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the village of Deir al Sharqi. Sources that reported low casualty estimates, including the five deaths by Syrian News Network, acknowledged that these were the initial

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3–5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
15–20
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2040

LOCATION

الحمبوشية بداما, Al Hamboushiya/Badama, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed and at least 14 others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Al Hamboushiya and the town of Badama in the western part of Jisr al Shoughour, local media reported. Most sources reported the death toll as two civilians while only the Syrian Observatory for

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
14
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 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2038

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamlaka, Damascus, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including one to two children, were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Zamalaka in the Damascus countryside. The civilians killed include two child siblings, Omar and Mazan al-Gharbi, and a Civil Defense member, Sameer Mohammad Akram al Ghoush. According to

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 children1–3 men)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2041

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Several civilians were killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Jisr al Shoughour in the Idlib countryside, according to sources on the ground. While local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes, the majority of sources did not identify who was

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2042

LOCATION

خضيرة, Khadira, Hama, Syria

At least two civilians, including a woman and child, were killed and another civilian was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khadira in the Akeirbat district of eastern Hama. The injured civilian was in serious condition at the time of reporting. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were carried out by

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

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

March 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2035

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against Douma in the Damascus countryside, according to sources on the ground. Conflicting reports were given as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. The majority of sources, including @Omar_Madaniah and @ahmadalqalmone, identified Russian planes

Summary

First published
March 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

March 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2036

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Between one and five civilians, including a woman and two children, were killed and between four and eight others, including women and children, were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the town of Jisr al Shoughour in the western suburbs of Idlib, local media reported. At the time of reporting one civilian death,

Summary

First published
March 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(2 children1 woman1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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
Named victims
11 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2034

LOCATION

درعا, Dara'a, Daraa, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes against the city of Dara’a, local media reported. Local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes. The majority of sources, including Syria News Desk and Smart News, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes. However, @AbazidMohamad identified regime forces

Summary

First published
March 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2033a

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

One baby girl was killed and up to nine were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck Harasta, Damascus, with airstrikes and artillery, local media reported. SOHR reported that “warplanes carried out in the evening of today four raids on places in Harasta city in the Eastern Ghouta, which killed a child and injured 9 other

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
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 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2032

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Local sources reported that an air raid killed up to two civilians, including a child, and wounded several others, as it struck the city of Kafr Zita in Hama, though it was unclear if Russia or the Syrian regime were behind the attack. Two civilians were additionally wounded, and MonKiz Al Khabour reported that one

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2033

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamneh, Hama, Syria

The town of al-Latamneh, Hama, was reportedly exposed to chlorine gas attacks which killed two civilians. There were also claims that dozens more civilian were wounded through suffocation. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Orient News reported that helicopters belonging to the Syrian regime had carried out chlorine

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2028

LOCATION

معر شورين, Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, Syria

Between two and four civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on village of Ma’ar Shureen in Idlib, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, four civilian were wounded. Other sources put the figure at two. Zamanalwasl said that the strike hit a popular market in the village. While

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2029

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians, reportedly women, were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, local media reported. All the sources pointed to Russia as the culprit and reported that the incident had wounded two civilians. UAR added that the wounded were women. According to Smart News Agency’s correspondent, Russia carried out the strike using vacuum

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2030

LOCATION

الحانوتة, Al-Hanoute, Hama, Syria

In this single-source event, the Smart News Agency reported that an alleged Russian airstrike killed four civilians, including a woman and her child, and wounded another six in village of al-Hanoute in eastern Hama. According to Smart, who cited a activist on the ground, Russian warplanes had launched “a rocket-propelled grenade attack” on the village, which

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2026

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

In this major incident, referred to by many sources as “a massacre”, alleged Russian or Assad-launched airstrikes on Hamouriya, Damascus killed up to 18 civilians, including women and children, and wounded between 24 and 80 more, local media reported. Residential areas in Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, were reportedly struck by heavy aerial shelling on March

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 18
(1–8 children6 women9 men)
Civilians reported injured
24–80
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
16 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2031

LOCATION

ريف ادلب الجنوبي, Southern Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Two sources reported that alleged Russian warplanes struck a camp for displaced people in the southern countryside of Idlib with a phosphorous missile on the night of March 25th, possibly causing civilian harm. Only one source, Smart News Agency, reported that the strike had caused civilian harm, saying that it had resulted in “several” wounded. @amrsyria1 said

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2019a

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Up to eight civilians, including two children and two women, were killed and as many as 20 more were wounded in strikes allegedly carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia in Khan Shakhoun, Idlib, local media reported. Two airstrikes reportedly struck al-Shamali neighbourhood in Khan Shakhoun, killing up to eight civilians, including a family

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children2 women3–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS615 RS2025a

LOCATION

منطقة الادخار, Al-ldikhar, Raqqa, Syria

Up to five civilians died including a child and two women in a reported airstrike on Al-ldikhar, according to local media. Reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition or Russia. Smart news agency said that three civilians died in a strike “likely” carried out by the Coalition However RFS

Summary

First published
March 25, 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2027

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Between two and nine civilians, including women and children, were wounded when the village of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, Idlib, was hit by aerial shelling, local media reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Mustapha al Gharib, a media manager in the civil defence in Maarat al Numan, told Smart that

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2020

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

As many as 16 civilians, most of them women and one child, were killed and up to 24 were left wounded, when alleged Assad or Russian airstrikes struck a women’s prison in Idlib, local media reported. The attack against the prison, run by the Executive Force of the Syrian Opposition, resulted in at least seven

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 16
(1 child10–11 women2 men)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2022

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Urme Al joz, Idlib, Syria

At least one, but more likely two civilians – a woman and her child – were killed and several more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Urme al-Joz in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “one child and his mother died when suspected Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 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

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2019

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

On March 24, 2017, one civilian was reportedly killed and up to nine were wounded in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrike on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, local media reported. Ahmed Khatib, a correspondent for the Mirror of Syria in Idlib, said that “warplanes carried out several air raids on the

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2023

LOCATION

رسم حميدة, Rasim Hamida, Homs, Syria

Two or three civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Rasim Hamida in Jabr al-Jarrah, Homs, local media reported. An activist who spoke to Smart News said that the airstrikes killed two men and seriously wounded a woman. But according to al-Araby, three civilians died. Both sources pointed to Russia as the

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
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

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS614 RS2025

LOCATION

Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Up to six civilians including two children and two women died, and as many as five civilians were wounded, in an airstrike on the Bado neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local media, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US led Coalition or Russian warplanes. Palmyra Media Center reported

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
5
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

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2024

LOCATION

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria

Airstrikes, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, wounded three civilians in the town of Halfaya, local media reported Syrian Mirror said that the strikes led to “casualties”, without further specification. The remaining two sources reported that the airstrikes wounded several people. According to Smart News’ correspondent, “warplanes launched raids on the town of

Summary

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

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2017

LOCATION

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

Up to two civilians were killed and as many as seven more were wounded following airstrikes that struck the town of Ma’arat al-Nu’man, Idlib, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Sources said that between one and two civilians were killed in the strikes. Two civilian

Summary

First published
March 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident