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 10, 2017

Incident Code

RS1960

LOCATION

القاسمية, Al Qassmiya, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

One five-year-old girl was killed, and two others were wounded, following an airstrike on a warehouse in Al Qassmiya, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or did not blame any belligerent. A vehicle was also hit in the shelling and caused a fire. Images show members of the Civil Defence putting

Summary

First published
March 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1953

LOCATION

كفر داعل, Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A number of civilians were wounded in an alleged cluster bomb attack on Kafr Da’el, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame; some pointed to Russia while others accused the Syrian regime. There are no specific numbers reported killed. According to Smart, the wounded were transferred to a medical point.

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1954

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in a multi-strike raid on Darat Izza, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes on the town. A local source reported that a school was struck in the first raid, and published images showing material damage to the infrastructure.  Al-Hajji

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 17, 2023
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 8
(2 children5–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
8 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1955

LOCATION

السلوم, Al Saloum, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian cluster bomb strike on Al Saloum, Aleppo. All sources either blamed Russian warplanes or did not attribute any blame to a belligerent. Additionally, no reports of deaths were made. Smart News reported that there was widespread destruction to residential homes in the aftermath of the raid

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1956

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and 30 civilians were killed, and as many as 100 were estimated to be injured, following an alleged airstrike on an educational complex. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Almost all sources attributed blame to the Russian warplanes, whilst the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime. Enabbaladi only

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 30
(3 children1 woman1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–100
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

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1957

LOCATION

حماده عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria

Seven civilians were killed, including a child and three women, and 13 were injured, following an alleged Russian airstrike which struck a camp for displaced peoples in the vicinity of Hamada Omar village, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged raid. According to Smart, the vicinity was under the control of ISIS

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 child3 women)
Civilians reported injured
13
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1950

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source reported that six civilians were killed and 13 others were injured following an alleged Russian raid on Maskanah, Aleppo. The source alleged that the victims arrived at Raqqa National Hospital following the aerial bombardment of the vicinity.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1951

LOCATION

بعربو, B'arbo, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on B’arbo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Smart News reported that it was a Russian led cluster bomb attack, however, they were “unable to find details on the number and condition of the wounded and whether they included children

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1952

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed – and others were wounded – in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood in Anadan, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes, however the White Helmets was one of a few who attributed blame to the Syrian

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 17, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS559 RS1949

LOCATION

البوراشد, Albu Rashed, Raqqa, Syria

In a major incident, up to 24 civilians reportedly died when an aircraft allegedly struck a vehicle just outside Al bu Rashed. Most of those killed were said to be children. All source blamed the Coalition, except one, which said that this was the work of Russia. Step News initially reported that the vehicle was

Summary

First published
March 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 24
(6–8 children4–6 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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
5 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS1947

LOCATION

العطشانة, Al'Atshana, Maskanah, Hama, Syria

Local media reported that airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, killed two children and two women and wounded several others as the village of al-Atashana near Hama was struck. Raqqa Post reported that the four victims were from the Eid al-Ramdan family. Sources were, however, unclear as to whether Russia or the

Summary

First published
March 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS1948

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between 10 and 13 civilians, including children, were killed and up to another nine were wounded as airstrikes on Maskanah, Aleppo, local sources reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Sources reported between 10 and 13 civilian casualties, however, most said there had

Summary

First published
March 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 13
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 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS1946

LOCATION

خضيرة, Khdeira, Hama, Syria

Two civilians, one child and one woman, were reportedly killed and another seriously wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck the village of Khadira, Hama, two local sources reported. An activist on the ground told Micro News that “the aircraft carried out raids on the village of Khadira in the area of Aqirbat (77 km east

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS1944

LOCATION

قبتان الجبل, Qubtan Al-Jabal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians, including one male child and one woman, were killed along with up to ten wounded, local media reported following alleged Russain shelling of Qubtan Al-Jabal, Aleppo. At least one child was killed by the airstrikes. Additionally, many  sources also reported the death of one man and woman. @kobtan_aljabal added that the child

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS1945

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians, possibly two children and two women, and up to nine more in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Maskanah, local media reported. Two of the victims were reportedly female children. One source added that two women also died when their home was struck. The number of wounded varied among the sources,

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children2 women)
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 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1941

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airstrikes on the town of Hajjin in Deir Ezzor reportedly killed at least one four-year old girl and critically wounded several other civilians – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strike. With the exception of the Step News Agency, who reported as many as three civilian

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1942

LOCATION

بشنطرة, Bshanetra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians, including two children, were killed and up to seven wounded, reported local sources after the village of Bashnatra, Aleppo, was hit by either Russian or Assad-waged air and/or artillery strikes. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the deaths of four people – including two children – was confirmed. The victims were killed in

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children)
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1938

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

In what was described as a “massacre”, up to 15 civilians died and as many as 50 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the town of Akeirbat in Hama, according to local media. The warplanes reportedly struck a sheep marked. Rami Abdul Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 15
(8 men)
Civilians reported injured
20–50
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1943

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Referring to this incident as a “massacre”, multiple sources reported that Russian or Assad-waged warplanes struck the city of Kafr Nabil, Idlib, killing up to seven civilians largely from one family – wounding “dozens” more. According to Orient News’s sources on the ground, “the Russian air force targeted the city of Kafr Nabil west of

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1–2 children1 woman6 men)
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
Named victims
26 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1939

LOCATION

خفسة, Khafsa, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians were killed and up to three wounded when airstrikes, believed to be Russian, struck Khafsa, Aleppo, multiple sources reported. All the sources, who reported about the number of victims, agreed that four civilians were killed. The Syrian Network for added that all four victims were from the same family. Some sources merely referred

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1940

LOCATION

الدانا, al-Dana, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven civilians, including children and women, were killed and “dozens” more were wounded as al-Dana, Idlib, in three airstrikes, carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. Three men from the same family were reportedly among the victims. Multiple sources added that one or two children and several women were

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 31, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(1–2 children2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS1937

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

In this single-source incident, the Smart News Agency “that five dead and 14 wounded, including women and children, arrived at the al Tabaqa hospital”. It said they had died in a bombing by “military aircraft” on Palmyra’s eastern desert – and went on to say that the culprit was likely to be Russia. It is

Summary

First published
March 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS1936

LOCATION

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria

One source, the Smart News Agency, reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike on Sokhna. Smart said that a convoy was struck. @youthvoiceSSS reported that “a convoy belonging to Daesh” was struck by the regime – but made no mention of civilian harm.  

Summary

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

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1933

LOCATION

ترملا, Tramla, Idlib, Syria

Three members of one family were killed – including a father, daughter and granddaughter – and others were wounded, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tramla, local media reported. All sources except Idlib Media Centre – who said the regime was responsible – attributed blame to Russia.  According to sources, a vacuum

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1934

LOCATION

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria

A child was killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian raids and/or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Palmyra. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to the Regime and others to Russia. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 28, 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

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1935

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 11 and 13 civilians were killed at a river crossing point in Hatla by alleged Russian aircraft, local sources reported. Other civilians were wounded but no specific numbers were reported. All sources blamed Russia for the raid. Sources reported that women and children were included in the death toll. There was not only destruction

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 13
(0–1 children0–1 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

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS1930

LOCATION

ربيعة, Rabi'a, Homs, Syria

According to Smart, an unspecified number of civilians were wounded and killed following a “likely Russian” airstrike on Rabi’a. It was reported that “the aircraft fired missiles on the outskirts of the village which was under the control of ‘Islamic State’, killing three civilians, including a child, and injuring five others, including a woman, some of

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS1929

LOCATION

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

As many as 20 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in an airstrike on Ariha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Around half the sources blamed Russian warplanes, while the rest pointed to the Syrian regime. Some sources such as Idlib Media Centre blamed both parties for the raids. SMO

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 20
(2–8 children2–4 women1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS1931

LOCATION

الهزاني, Al-Hazani, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged air and artillery strike on Al-Hazani, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Two sources reported that Russia was responsible for the raid, whilst others attributed blame to the Syrian regime. SyriaMubasher reported that military aircraft were to blame – therefore not attributing

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
(0–2 children0–1 women0–1 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS1932

LOCATION

ابو الهناية/خفسة, Abu Hanaya/Khafsa, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians were reported killed – and others were reported wounded – following alleged Russian shelling on Abu Hanaya/Khafsa, Aleppo. All sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes. Aranews claimed that a large number of civilians was wounded, no other sources gave specific details on the wounded.  There are no other details at this

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(2 children2 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