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 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 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, 2019

Incident Code

RS1905

LOCATION

ابو جبار, Abo Jabbar, Aleppo, Syria

Three children were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Abo Jabbar town, Aleppo – though only one source has reported the event. The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed three unidentified children as victims of “warplane shelling” by “Russian troops”.  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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

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

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 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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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