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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1842

LOCATION

بحي العمال, al Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 17 civilians including six children died in an airstrike on the al Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Deir Ezzor 24 was among a number of sources blaming the regime, reporting that “five civilians

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 17
(6 children1–4 women3–7 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
12 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS1841

LOCATION

عنيق باجرة , Aneek Bajra village, Hama, Syria

Five or six civilians – a woman and her children – died in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Aneek Bajra village in eastern Hama, according to sources on the ground, The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among sources blaming the regime, reporting: “Six civilians (a woman and her five children) died when

Summary

First published
January 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(4–5 children1 woman)
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

January 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS1840

LOCATION

تلبيسة , Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Seven named civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and/or artillery strikes on Talbisah, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to which party caused the civilian harm. There was also some confused reporting. For example, LCCSY initially blamed Russia but then

Summary

First published
January 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1839

LOCATION

اللابد موحسن, Al-Labed, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four and 24 people were killed in an airstrike on Al-Labed, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the Syrian regime, and others pointing to Russian warplanes. Most sources reported that seven civilians were killed, however some later reports vaguely suggested that as many as

Summary

First published
January 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 24
(1–2 children2–4 women1–2 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
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1838

LOCATION

الحميدية, Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as five civilians were killed – including a family of three – and others were injured in alleged shelling on Alhamediya. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia. Multiple sources even attributed blame to both belligerents. It must be noted that multiple sources

Summary

First published
January 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1837

LOCATION

دكيلة, Dakila, Hama, Syria

A woman and a girl were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dakila. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. There are no reports of wounded civilians. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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 14, 2017

Incident Code

RS1836

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Between seven and 11 civilians including two children and a woman were killed, and as many as 25 more were wounded, in an airstrike which targeted a market in Ma’arat Misrin early morning on Saturday 14th January, according to sources on the ground. Two children and a woman were also included in the death toll according

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 24, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 11
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
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
7 named
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1833

LOCATION

جبل الاربعين, Jabal Al-Arba'een, Idlib, Syria

A leader of the Islamic Party of Turkmenistan (jihadist group) was killed following an alleged Russian raid on a residential building he was occupying. Four of his children and three women were also reportedly killed in the raid. Additionally, in what became a double raid, 20 members of the civil defence were injured in a second raid whilst

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(4 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1832

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Orm Al Joz, Idlib, Syria

Six civilians were killed – mostly from the same family – and some were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al Joz, local media said. All sources reported that Russian missiles and rockets were to blame for the raid. As many as two female children and two women were reportedly killed in the raid.

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

TS048 CS443 RS1834

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and as many as 22 were wounded, in an air and artillery strike which hit the Daesh controlled area of Tadef, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with two sources blaming the International US led Coalition, two blaming Syrian regime helicopters, and many more

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
(0–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1831

LOCATION

دار الكبيرة, Dar Al-Kabira, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians were killed and as many as 18 were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dar Al-Kabira, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.  Some sources reported that there was partial damage to Al Dal Al Kabera Primary School. ZaitonMagazine said there were altogether three raids on

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
5–18
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 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS440 RS1825

LOCATION

جبل الاربعين, Al Arbaeen Mountains, Idlib, Syria

As many as 20 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, according to reports, following an alleged Russian and or Coalition airstrike on a militant-occupied building in the Al-Arba’een Mountains. Shaam News reported that seven civilians died including “four children and three women in addition in addition to others wounded.” Step News blamed the US-led

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(4 children3 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1826

LOCATION

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Between seven and 12 civilians died – including four children and three women – following an airstrike which struck a five story building in Ariha, Idlib. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raid, with some blaming Russia and others blaming the Syrian regime.  No specific numbers of civilians were reported

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(4 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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1824

LOCATION

بابكة, Babka, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 10 civilians were killed, including eight from one family, and as many as 24 or more were wounded, following an alleged airstrike on Babka, Aleppo. Five children and three women were reportedly killed in the strike. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(4–5 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1828

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed – including a child –  and 28 more were wounded, following an alleged airstrike on Binnish, which struck a market, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming the Syrian regime, and other blaming Russia. Due to the extent of damage in the

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
February 14, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–28
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
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS439 RS1827

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Between 10 and 25 fighters of the militant group Fatah al Sham were killed – as well as a civilian policeman – and as many as six other people were injured, following an alleged airstrike in Saraqib. It is not clear whether or not the injured were civilians or members of Fatah al Sham. Sources are conflicted as

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
0–6
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1823

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A young man was killed when alleged Russian shelling struck “militants” in a sugar factory and a farm in Maskanah, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians.  According to @fathi_1999, three raids struck the town. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1822

LOCATION

بلدة حور, Hor, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One unidentified civilian was killed – and others were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hor, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1821

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An unidentified man was killed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Babis, Aleppo, local media reported. According to one source, a woman was wounded, and most other sources reported several were wounded. The majority of sources didn’t  attribute blame, however several pointed to Russian warplanes. Sources reported the alleged use of rockets and vacuum missiles. There

Summary

First published
January 11, 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1820 CS439a

LOCATION

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, and or US led Coalition airstrikes on Taftanaz. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blame Russia and the Syrian regime, however there were also two allegations against the Coalition.  As many as four civilians were also wounded – according to

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
(0–3 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2017

Incident Code

RS1819

LOCATION

الشخ علي, Al Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and seven civilians were wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Sheikh Ali, Aleppo. Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, with some attributing no blame. It was reported that despite their being no deaths, two of the victims were seriously injured, and were transferred to hospitals in Turkey. According to Syria News

Summary

First published
January 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1818

LOCATION

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria

Civilians were killed and wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes.  Although no sources reported on a specific number of casualties, most sources reported that there were killed and wounded civilians at the scene. Reportedly, a car of displaced civilians fleeing their town as a result

Summary

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

January 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS1817

LOCATION

الحابوسة, Al Haboussah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in an alleged aerial bombardment of Al Haboussah, Aleppo. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame.  Despite the Violations Documentation Centre listing the victim as an adult male, an image of a child was published alongside a Facebook status, naming the victim. We are therefore

Summary

First published
January 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 children0–1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS1816

LOCATION

رسم العبد, Hama, Syria

It was reported by a single source that one adult male died following alleged Russian shelling. It does not specifically say where he was killed, however, it does report that he was from in Rasem al Abd in Hama. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS1815

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed, inducing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and up to three civilians were wounded, following an alleged Russian and or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed

Summary

First published
January 3, 2017
Last updated
January 10, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

January 1, 2017

Incident Code

TS037 RS1814

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and 11 civilians were reported killed in alleged air and artillery shelling on Tedef. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. According to Syrianewsdesk however, “the shelling on Tadef killed eight people, including five civilians and others belonging to the organisation (Turkish armed forces)”. Between six and ten civilians were wounded in

Summary

First published
January 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 11
(5 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1813

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One source reported that 109 civilians were killed by Russian or Syrian regime warplanes in Al Atarib, Aleppo. One other source reported that there was shelling due to Syrian regime warplanes which wounded civilians and destroyed building. There are no other sources at this time.

Summary

First published
December 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 109
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

December 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1812

LOCATION

تادف, Tedef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 12 civilians – the majority from one family – were killed and up to 24 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tefef, Aleppo, according to source son the ground. Graphic images published showed four child victims. According to one source nine civilians came from the same family. Dawaalhaq reported: “in support

Summary

First published
December 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 12
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1810

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed – including a man and a woman and a child – and many more were wounded, in alleged air and artillery strikes on Harasta. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, except LCCSY who blamed Russian warplanes.  According to sources, the artillery and air bombardment targeted a school and residential

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident