Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS0202

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Code: R174)

Two sisters and their mother were among four civilians killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to reports.

Local journalist Bassel al Darwish said “Assad’s criminal planes and Russia” were responsible for the deaths. The FSA and the Damascus Centre blamed the regime. And Syria 2011 and the local coordination committee held Russia solely responsible.

The VDC – which blamed “air forces shelling of the city” – has named the four victims.

Victims

Family members (3)

Adult female Name by VDC killed
Child female Name by VDC injured
Child female Name by VDC killed

Individuals

Adult male Name by VDC killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
4
2 Children, 1 Woman, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Unknown Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Unknown position on incident
Not yet assessed
Unknown Strike Report
Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (3)