Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1072

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.373059, 36.112682
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R966RS1067)

A 16-year-old boy reportedly died in an airstrike on his home in Khan al Shiekh, according to local media – though sources were unclear whether the strike was carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime.

Syrian News Desk reported that the victim was “a boy aged 16, who was a soccer player in the patrols that take place in Western Ghouta. He died overnight, after Russian warplanes struck his family home in the town of Khan al Sheikh. His home, on the outskirts of the town, was inhabited by civilians. Other family members were injured, one seriously”.

However, Al Jazeera blamed the regime, while Smart pointed to the regime and Russia, reporting the death of one child and injury of several other civilians.

According to Alamawi, “Russian warplanes carried out two raids”.

A number of other sources referred only to “warplanes”. According to Step News Agency, for example, “two people were injured due to three warplanes raids targeted the farmlands in Khan Al-Sheih”.

ALsakralmuktrb put the death toll at one but added that “many” others were wounded.

A report by Almaghrib Today said that “two women and a child were hit”, but didn’t give any further details as to their casualty status.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Child
Civilians reported injured
2–10

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khan al Sheikh (خان الشيح‬), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.373059, 36.112682. 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 has not reported any strikes between July 29th – 31st 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed