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

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS1925

LOCATION

حي الوعر, Al Waer, Homs, Syria

Four civilians were killed, including a child, and as many as 24 others were wounded in an alleged parachute missile attack on the residential neighbourhood of Al Waer, local media reported. All sources but one blamed the Syrian regime for the raid. The Shaam News Network was alone in reporting “violent raids by Assad and

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS1926

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecific number of civilians was wounded following an alleged airstrike on Maskanah, Aleppo. Only one sources blamed Russian warplanes; the others attributed blame to the Syrian regime. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes occurred near the sugar planting town of Maskanah.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 26, 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

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS1927

LOCATION

الحور, Al Hour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three medical staff were wounded in an airstrike which struck Al-Huda Surgical Hospital in Al Hour, Aleppo, local media report. According to sources, the hospital has been since rendered out of service. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS1928

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Between one and nine civilians were killed – including four children – and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Douma, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming Russia and others the Syrian regime. Two sources put the death toll as high as nine, while two reported

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 9
(4 children)
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

February 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS1923

LOCATION

بنش, Binish, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died and up to 10 more were wounded (including four members of the civil defense), following a raid on the Red Crescent Medical Store in Binish. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources blamed a Russian airliner, whilst others blamed Syrian regime vacuum missiles. The Shaam News Network reported that

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9–10
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, 2017

Incident Code

RS1924

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Eleven named civilians were killed – including five children, a woman and two men – and dozens more were wounded in an alleged air and artillery strike on a market in Douma, according to reports from the ground. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many attributed the strikes to Russian missiles, while

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 13
(5 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS1922

LOCATION

الحميرات, Al-Hmeirat, Hama, Syria

Sources reported that eight people from one family were killed and dozens more were wounded when an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime raid struck their home in Al-Hmeirat. Most sources blamed Russia, though some also pointed to the Syrian regime. Members of the Civil Defence spent time pulling bodies and injured civilians out of the rubble.

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(6 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1920

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed – and seven others were wounded – in an airstrike which struck residential homes and Walid Shaaban School in Jisir Al-Shoghour, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some blaming Russia and the others pointing to the Syrian regime. According to multiple

Summary

First published
February 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1921

LOCATION

الناجية, Al-Najia, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians were killed – and as many as five were injured – in alleged airstrikes which struck residential homes in Al-Najia. All sources blamed Russia, apart from one source which blamed the Syrian regime. One source reported that there were three Russian raids which caused huge material damage to residential homes and roads.

Summary

First published
February 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1919

LOCATION

جبل البلعاس, Al-Bila'as mountain, Hama, Syria

A single source reported the death of one civilian and the injury of others as a result of alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Bila’as mountain. It was reported that the aerial bombardment was concentrated on the area around al Bila’as Mountains near Akeirbat in Hama, central Syria. Allegedly Russian warplanes struck a camp for displaced people

Summary

First published
February 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS1918

LOCATION

الجابرية, Al-Jabriya, Hama, Syria

Four or five civilians died and four or five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the village of Al-Jabriya in Hama, according to sources on the ground. Fourteen militants from the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham were also claimed killed. AMC reported that “four paramedics were killed and another

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4–5 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1915

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

As many as six civilians were killed – and dozens more were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Misrin, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, however some others did not attribute blame while others pointed to the Syrian regime. According to reports, three rockets – allegedly vacuum missiles –

Summary

First published
February 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 women)
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1916

LOCATION

حقل شاعر, Shaer oil field, Homs, Syria

A single source reported that Russian warplanes “launched missile strikes on Al Sha’er oil field, which resulted in the burning of three oil tankers, killing the driver and wounding two other riders”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1917

LOCATION

المشتل, Al-Mashtal, Homs, Syria

Two civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mashtal, according to a single source. The Smart News Agency reported “… raids struck al-Mashtal neighborhood in the city of Palmyra, wounding two civilians and destroying houses in the area.” 2baddi reported that the planes struck the mountain range adjacent to the archaeological fortress of Palmyra.

Summary

First published
February 21, 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

February 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1914

LOCATION

الصور, As Suwar, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and 46 civilians were killed, and up to 50 were wounded, in an airstrike on As Suwar which struck a market and coach station. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame at all, reporting that the planes were unidentifiable. Sources reported that not only was a

Summary

First published
February 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 46
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
30–50
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1912

LOCATION

حي تشرينشارع الحافظ , al Hafez street, Tishreen neighbourhood, eastern Damascus, Damascus, Syria

In what was largely reported as a regime attack, seven civilians including up to two children and two women died in an airstrike on al Hafez street, in Damascus’ Tishreen neighbourhood. On February 20th, the Step News Agency reported: “Assad’s regime continued its military campaign on the eastern neighborhoods in the capital Damascus for the

Summary

First published
February 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1913

LOCATION

تدمر , Palmyra, Homs, Syria

A single source, the Smart News Agency, said: “Our reporter, quoting a local source, said that the warplanes likely belonging to Russia  struck the western district of the eastern city of Palmyra with a rocket killing of a civilian and wounding two members of IS”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1910

LOCATION

تل ماعز , Tal Maez, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and 13 civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tal Maez, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “four civilians, including two children and a woman, died when suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tal al Mo’ez village in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, February 19,

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 13
(2 children1 woman3 men)
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1911

LOCATION

ام تينة , Umm Tine village, Maskana, Aleppo, Syria

Four victims (one adult male, one adult female and two children) were named by the VDC as killed by Russia in Umm Tine village, Maskana. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, reporting: “three civilians, including a girl and her mother, died when Syrian regime artillery shells fired on Om Tena village

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1909

LOCATION

نصيب , Nasib, Daraa, Syria

Up to seven civilians – of whom four were named – died and as many as eight others were wounded in an air or artillery strike on Nasib, according to local media. While most sources blamed Russia, there were also several allegations against the Assad regime. According to Ara, “Russian warplanes targeted the vicinity of

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children1–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
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

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS1908

LOCATION

اليادودة , al Yadouda, central countryside of Daraa, Daraa, Syria

Five named women – and possibly a girl – died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strike on al Yadouda in the central countryside of Daraa, according to local media. According to Orient News, “Russian aircraft targeted the town of Al-yadouda in the countryside of Daraa Gharbi with several air strikes,

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child5 women)
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
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS1907

LOCATION

رسم حميدة, Rasim Hamida, Homs, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed and three wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the ISIS controlled village of Rasim Hamida, in the eastern Homs countryside – though only one source has reported on the incident. Smart News, who attributed likely responsibility to Russia, cited a civilian source, who stated: “the warplanes targeted civilian houses with

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1903

LOCATION

المستريحة, Al-Mstareha, Aleppo, Syria

One family – two male children and their parents – were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on ISIS-controlled Al-Mstareha, according to local media. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the family died in “suspected Russian warplane missiles fired on Al Mstareha village”.  The only other known source to report on the event also attributed

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1904

LOCATION

الجفرة, Al-Jafra, Aleppo, Syria

A number of civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on the ISIS-controlled village, al Jafra, Aleppo, according to local media sources. The only source for this incident, Local Coordination Committee of Syria, reported: “13 martyrs in Aleppo most of them killed in the Turkish raids on al bab and Russian raids on al Jafra“.

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1906

LOCATION

القسطل, Al-Kastal, Hama, Syria

A woman and a child were reportedly wounded during an airstrike on Al-Kastal, Hama, according to one local media source. Smart News reported that the aerial bombardment was “likely to be Russian”. One local source told the news agency that “raids likely to be Russian, on the village of Al Qastal – which is under the

Summary

First published
February 17, 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

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1898

LOCATION

أم المياذن , Um Almayathen, Daraa, Syria

Between five and eight civilians (five of whom were named) died and as many as dozens more wounded in an airstrike on Um Almayathen, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Rasd only reported wounded civilians, putting the number of

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children1 woman5 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1899

LOCATION

بصرى الشام , Basra al Sham, Daraa, Syria

Local media reported the death of one adult male civilian (named below) in an airstrike on Basra al Sham. Most sources attributed the strike to Russia – and published images showing widespread destruction in the town. Civilian homes and a school were among the buildings reportedly damaged. However Aljazeera and several other sources reported that the

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1901

LOCATION

درعا البلد, Dara'a Al-Balad, Daraa, Syria

One civilian, Mohammed Nour – a reporter for Al Jazeera – was injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Dara’a Al- Balad, according to multiple sources. Smart News reported that “aircraft likely to be Russian renewed raids on the neighbourhood of Daraa Al-Balad”. Whilst most sources also pointed towards Russia as being responsible for

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1902

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Up to two civilians were reportedly wounded during an alleged Russian airstrike on Jisr Al-Shoghour, according to local media. There were limited known sources for this event and it should be noted that only one source attributed responsibility to Russia. Both AMC Aleppo and RFS North tweeted that one woman had been injured in an

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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, Unknown
View Incident