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

January 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS468 RS1875

LOCATION

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian guard was killed in an air raid on an asphalt plant or nearby oil facility by unidentified aircraft. The Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations in the area that day, although some sources blamed Russia. According to multiple reports at least two civilians were also injured in the incident. Asharqiya reported, Mr al

Summary

First published
January 31, 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS1873

LOCATION

الأول ريف المهندسينكفرجوم, Kafr Joum, Al Muhandissin Al wwal countryside, Aleppo, Syria

A mother and her six children were killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike “massacre” in the countryside of western Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The noon raid struck three houses in the region controlled by opposition forces. It is currently home to displaced residents from the southern area of the

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(6 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS1874

LOCATION

قصر البريج , Qasr al Bureij village, south east al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians from one family died and three more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qasr al Bureij village, south east al Bab, according to multiple local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “four civilians, including two children and a woman, died in suspected Russian warplanes”.

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

TS069 RS1872

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and seven civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab. Hara FM accused Russia of the attack: “Four people dead and three wounded from one family from Russian bombing of the village Qasr al-Bureij southeast of the city of Al Bab.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS1871

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly killed by Russian airstrikes carried out in Palmyra on the 29th of January 2017. Sources said several air raids struck its western and  northern neighbourhoods that resulted in the civilian casualties and damage to property Those wounded in the strikes were moved to a field hospital for treatment in rural Hama,

Summary

First published
January 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS1869

LOCATION

جبال البلعاس , Al Bila’as mountains, Hama, Syria

In what several sources called a “massacre”, between five and eight civilians including two children and three women died and as many as 10 more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a camp for displaced people that is located in ISIS territory in the Al Bila’as mountains in eastern Hama governorate. The number

Summary

First published
January 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children3 women3 men)
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

January 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1868

LOCATION

حماده عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and up to seven more were wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Hamada Omar, Hama, local media reported. Smart News reported that: “a number of civilians were killed and wounded, earlier in the day [Jan 28th], in raids by aircrafts likely to be Russian (…)”. 7al News,

Summary

First published
January 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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

January 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1867

LOCATION

جباب حماد, Jabab Hamad, Homs, Syria

Several civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes that targeted Jabab Hamad, Homs, local sources said. All the sources – who identified a culprit – pointed to Russia. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

First published
January 28, 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

January 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1866

LOCATION

الشندخيات, Shandkhiyat, Homs, Syria

Local sources reported that an alleged Russian aircraft struck the village of Shandkhiyat in the vicinity of Palmyra. Reportedly, the incident wounded several civilians. No further information is currently available.  

Summary

First published
January 28, 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

January 27, 2017

Incident Code

TS065 RS1865

LOCATION

جب مخزوم , Jeb Makhzoum, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians from one family were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish or Russian airstrikes or artillery shelling on Jeb Makhzoum near Al Arima. The Syrian Obseratory for Human Rights said it “learned that a man was killed along with his wife and five of their children who are under the age of eighteen. They were

Summary

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

TS063 RS1864

LOCATION

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and 10 civilians died, including two children and two women, and up to a another dozen were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Al Bab, local media reported. It was unclear who the culprit was – with allegations against Turkey and Russia. Moreover, one report added that regime helicopters were also active

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS1863

LOCATION

حوايج بومصعة, Hawaij Bu Mas'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An unspecific number of civilians were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on Hawaij Bu Mas’a. There are no reports of any civilian deaths. Additionally, all reporting blamed Russia for the strikes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 26, 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

January 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS1860

LOCATION

حي العمال, Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Eight civilians were killed – including an entire family of seven – and dozens more were injured following an alleged Russian airstrike on Oummal neighbourhood, local media reported. All sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strike. A later source confirmed that the family of seven were found under the rubble three days after

Summary

First published
January 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(4–5 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS1857

LOCATION

موحسن , Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three named civilians died in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Muhassan, according to local media. Orient news reported: “Russian warplanes on Tuesday [Jan 24th] targeted the town of Mohsin in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour, resulting in civilian casualties:  a martyr and wounded. “According to Deir Ezzor 24, Russian aircraft launched intensive air

Summary

First published
January 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1–2 women1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS1858

LOCATION

الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 30 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in an airstrike which on cotton mill in Al-Salhiya, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming Russian forces, and others blaming the Syrian regime. One source reported that six Russian warplanes were sighted in the

Summary

First published
January 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
21 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS1859

LOCATION

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria

An unspecific number of civilians were wounded – according to on the ground sources – following an alleged Russian raid on Palmyra . All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. There are no reports of any civilians killed in the fire. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 24, 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

January 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1852

LOCATION

المهدوم , Al Mahdoum, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on a clinic in Al Mahdoum, according to local media. Syrianewsdesk reported: “The Russian warplanes aimed two rockets at the town of Al Mahdoum, under the control of the ISIS in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, injuring civilians and striking the only

Summary

First published
January 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1855

LOCATION

ديرالزور , Deir Ezzor city, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and five civilians including up two women and two men (from one family, according to some sources) were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Deir Ezzor. According to Euphrates Post, “Russian warplane raids targeted al Takaya street, andal Ardi and the al Hamidiya neighbourhoods, which led to the

Summary

First published
January 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 women2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1854

LOCATION

قصر البريج , Qasr al Boureij village, south east al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and 11 civilians died in an airstrike on a school holding displaced people in Qasr al Boureij village, according to local media. Most sources blamed barrel bombing by the regime, though there were also several allegations against Russia. Eldorar said: “According to local media sources a regime helicopter targeted a   school sheltering displaced

Summary

First published
January 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 11
(2–3 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1856

LOCATION

قحطان, Kahtan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians from the same family were killed when an alleged Russian raid struck civilian homes near a hospital in Kahtan. Only one on the ground source – Euphrates Post –  reported on this incident, and it blamed Russian warplanes. It alleged that the homes near Kahtan hospital were struck which led to the collapse of an

Summary

First published
January 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1853 TS058

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria

LCCSY reported that there were “15 martyrs in Aleppo killed in clashes with SDF and in Russian raids on Tadef and Turkish shelling on al Bab ” According to Al Baba 24, “the town today [Jan 23rd] suffered a Russian air raid which killed a woman and two children from Obeid family”. However, Syria News

Summary

First published
January 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(2 children3 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, Turkish Military
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1851

LOCATION

دير الزورحي الشيخ ياسين , Al Sheikh Yasin neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On January 21, 2017, two children, brothers called Mazen Siraj Al Nahri and Mohammed Siraj Nahri were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor’s Al Sheikh Yasin neighbourhood, according to local media. Several other civilians were wounded in the incident. Syrian Mirror reported: “warplanes likely to be Russian struck the neighborhoods of

Summary

First published
January 21, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1850

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

On January 21, 2017, local media sources reported that one child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Akeirbat in the countryside in the east of the Hama region in Syria. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
January 21, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1849

LOCATION

باتبو , Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

Aljazeera reported: “Activists poke of dead trapped under the rubble and huge fires caused by Russian raids after midnight [Jan 20th] on a gas station in the vicinity of the town of Battbo in the western countryside of Aleppo”. Other sources made no mention of fatalities but said that three civilians were wounded in the

Summary

First published
January 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1848

LOCATION

رسم العيس , Rasm al ais, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Rasm al ais, according to local media. Halab News listed three unidentified civilian fatalties – and blamed Russia for their deaths. @RFS_NORTH, @Syrianaffairs1 and LCCSY also pointed to Russia.

Summary

First published
January 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

January 18, 2017

Incident Code

TS054 RS1847a

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Halab News, reported eight of the nine civilians in “Russian enemy raids” in Tadef, Syria. It also named the victims. According to Al Jazeera, “The Russian and Turkish air forces, for the first time, carried out a joint operation against militants of the Islamic State Organization in Bab in countryside of, Aleppo,

Summary

First published
January 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS1845

LOCATION

أم الكراميل , Umm al Karamil village, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that one civilian died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Umm al Karamil village. According to Sdusyria, “one civilian was killed and others were wounded by a Russian air strike on the village of Um al-Karamil in southern Aleppo.” While most sources pointed to Russia, Aljazeera reported that regime actions had

Summary

First published
January 18, 2017
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

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS447 TS053

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Up to thirteen civilians reportedly died in airstrikes at Tadef near al Bab, as heavy clashes continued with ISIL for control of the strategic city. Step News, Al Bab News, Syria News Desk and the Syrian Observatory blamed Turkey for the attack, while LCCSY said Russia was responsible. The Syrian Network instead said that “8

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 13
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
30
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, Turkish Military, Unknown
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1844

LOCATION

كفر حلب , Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians from the same family (a man, woman and their child) died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Halab, according to local media. The White Helmets reported that “three people including a child and a woman martyred and others injured in an air raid using two vacuum missiles on

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1843

LOCATION

البوكمال , Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Violations Documentation Center reported on adult-male civilian killed by Russian forces in Abu Kamal. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident