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 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS1896

LOCATION

قرية الكفير,, al Kfir village, Idlib, Syria

Idlib Media Centre reported that there were “two wounded following Russian occupation raids on al Kfir village near Jisr al Shoughour in the Idlib countryside.” According to Shaban Abukhaled, “Russian warplanes launched missile attacks on rural villages and towns of Jisir Al Shoghour in idlib countryside” – but the source made no mention of civilian harm.

Summary

First published
February 16, 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 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS1897

LOCATION

النقير والركايا , An IDP camp, Idlib, Syria

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes used rockets loaded with cluster bombs on the towns of al Nakir and al Rakaya, targeting a camp of IDPs in the area and leaving a number of wounded among the IDPs amidst continuous shelling of the are for the last two days.” Mozmjr0 and  Alikrarkaralso blamed

Summary

First published
February 16, 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1892

LOCATION

رسم نياص , Rasim Nayyas village, south of Abu adh Dhuhur, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians including a child died and up to 15 more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a petrol station/oil refinery in Rasim Nayyas village, local media reported. All4Syria reported: “two civilians were killed and 15 others injured Wednesday in a Russian air strike on the village of Rasim Nayas in the eastern suburb

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4–15
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 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1893

LOCATION

سجن غرز, Gharaz prison, Daraa, Syria

One civilian died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Gharaz prison, according to local media. Syria News Desk reported: “A number of civilians are wounded after Russian warplanes struck the building of Gharaz prison east of Daraa which is taken by the opposition’s court of justice as a head

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1894

LOCATION

اليادودة, Al Yadouda town, Daraa, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in up to six alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Yadouda town, according to local media. Sources showed widespread destruction in the town and reported that a hospital had been taken out of service as a result of the raids, Ara news reported: “Intensive air strikes resulted in the injury

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
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

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1895

LOCATION

صيدا , Saida, Daraa, Syria

One named child died and dozens more civilians were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Saida, according to sources on the ground. Omar Balkhi5  reported that a hospital in the town had been put out of service and that “dozens” of civilians had been wounded in a Russian strike. According to Aljazeera, “a

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1889

LOCATION

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria

At least one woman was killed in airstrikes against the town of Saida in the countryside of Dara’a. Local sources gave conflicting reports as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. Orient News reported that both the regime and Russia carried out airstrikes but did not determine which struck Saida. Other sources did give specific

Summary

First published
February 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1888

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against Palmyra in eastern Homs. Smart News Agency was the only source to report on this incident and identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
February 13, 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 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1891

LOCATION

طريق السد, Al Sadd street, Daraa, Syria

Between three and 10 civilians, including two to three women and three to five children, were killed and at least 12 others were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Sadd street in Dara’a, according to sources on the ground. Most of the victims of the airstrikes were from

Summary

First published
February 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 10
(3–5 children2–3 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
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

February 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1887

LOCATION

حي الحميدية, Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least two civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Hamidiya in Deir Ezzor. The consensus among local sources, including Deir Free, was that Russian planes were responsible for the airstrikes. Additional videos were posted that claimed to show the airstrikes and the aftermath but the videos have since been

Summary

First published
February 12, 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

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1885

LOCATION

الزراعة, Al Zira'a, Aleppo, Syria

At least one child was killed when a cluster bomb from a previous airstrike exploded in the village of Al Zira’a in southern Aleppo. It is unknown when the previous airstrike was that left the cluster bomb and who was responsible for the previous airstrike.

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1886

LOCATION

التوبة, Tawba, Hama, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed and at least 10 others were injured in alleged airstrikes against the village of Al-Tawba. While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that there were at least 12 people killed or injured in the airstrikes, Omawi News reported that at the time there had been no recorded casualties.

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1883

LOCATION

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib, Syria

Between one and 10 civilians were killed and up to 30 others were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the village of Tarmala in the southern suburbs of Idlib, local media reported. It should be noted that it was widely reported that militants from Ahrar al Sham were killed in this strike –

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 10
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–30
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1890

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Binnish. The Violations Documentation Center identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes while the other sources did not name a culprit. There were conflicting reports given on when the airstrike against Binnish occured. According to the Violations Documentation Center, the

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1884

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

At least two civilians, one man and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Palmyra in the eastern Homs countryside. According to @journalhader and the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, the airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes. The two air raids reportedly struck the main square and

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 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

February 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS477 RS1881

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

A major airstrike on Idlib city killed up to 30 civilians and injured up to 300 more. Reports blamed both Russia and the US-led Coalition for the attack. The Coalition has expressly denied any involvement – though a unilateral US action remains possible. The attack – which reportedly involved both airstrikes and missiles – caused

Summary

First published
February 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 30
(12–15 children10–11 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–300
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, Unknown, Russian Military
Named victims
24 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS1880

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, Hasan al-Allawi al-Hamed, was reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike on Tadef, Aleppo – though there was only one known source on this event. The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the death as “warplane shelling” from “Russian troops”.

Summary

First published
February 5, 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

February 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1879

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Several civilians were injured in airstrike on Akeirbat, Hama, according to local media. Only two known sources reported on the attack and only one identified a belligerent, it is therefore unclear if Russia were responsible for the raid. Step News Agency reported that “Russian planes carried out raids on Akeirbat in eastern Hama which led to the

Summary

First published
February 4, 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
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS1878

LOCATION

ميادين, Al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to seven civilians were killed and 28 injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mayadeen, in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The source Sharqiya Voice reported: “Russian MOD says that five planes targeted IS positions in al Mayadeen. The Sharqiya correspondent confirmed that the areas targeted were civilian with no

Summary

First published
February 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–28
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS1877

LOCATION

حي القابون, Al Qaboun neighbourhood, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians were reportedly killed and 16 more injured in an airstrike on al Qaboun, Damascus, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Assad’s regime or Russia were responsible. Geroun News who put the death toll at one and 15 injured, reported that: “Russian fighter jets launched four air raids

Summary

First published
February 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–16
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS470 RS1876

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

A reported Coalition, or possibly Russian, airstrike which hit a Syrian Red Crescent hospital in Idlib injured up to a dozen civilians. The Coalition later denied involvement, though a unilateral US action remained possible. The intended target of the dawn strike appeared to be the militant gropup Fatah al Sham at a base at the

Summary

First published
February 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
5–12
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 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

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 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

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 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 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 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 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

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