Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS0532

Location

برج قاعي, Burj Kai, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.88447, 36.5773916
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R459RS528)

Between seven and nine victims, including up four women and up to four children were killed – and several others injured – and several injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Burj Kai according to multiple sources.

Shaam News Network initially reported that three Russian warplanes launched rocket attacks on several villages in the countryside of Homs, and that the focus of the bombardment was Burj Kai. It initially put the death toll at five, but a subsequent report said seven died in the village.

The SMART News Agency, in a video linked from a Violations Documentation Center listing, also put the death toll at seven and blamed Russia. The distressing footage depicts casualties and includes interviews with witnesses.

In an initial report, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the Assad regime was responsible and put the number killed at seven including including three children and four women. However, it then changed position and said that “alleged Russian warplanes” shelled the village, killing eight including four women and four children.

Six victims of “Russian air forces shelling,” including two children and four women, were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The deaths of two additional victims, reportedly members of the Syrian Red Crescent, were initially associated by the VDC with the strikes. One of them, Mohammad Saleh Barbaneh, is no longer listed. The second, Abdulkareem Kheir Allah is recorded as an adult, male and his entry links to a video of the strikes on Burj Kai.

A 9th victim was named by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies as Shaheed Reem Jenin Neehan. This may be Reem Nahan.

 

Victims

Individuals

Adult female Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
7–9
2–4 Children, 4 Women, 1 Man
Civilians reported injured
2–10

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Burj Kai (برج قاعي), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.88447, 36.5773916. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed