Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1221

Location

خان السبل, Khan al Subbul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.753927, 36.770468
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1107RS1216)

Up to five civilians died and as many as 20 were wounded in airstrike on Khan Al-Subbul in Idlib governorate, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

In one report, LCCSY blamed the regime but then appeared to change its position and point towards Russia.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) initially attributed the event to “government warplanes and its allies missiles”, putting the death toll at five.

However, a subsequent SN4HR report pointed to Russia, reporting that “fixed-wing warplanes we believe are Russian fired missiles loaded with cluster bombs on a gathering of vehicles near the international highway in Khan Al Sobol. The town is jointly controlled by armed opposition factions and the Fateh Al Sham Front. Five civilians were killed and about 20 others were wounded when a number of vehicles were burnt.”

Syrian Press Centre said that phosphorous bombs had been dropped on the town, leading to injuries, though it didn’t apportion blame.

The lowest death count was given by Radio Al Kul and Halab Today, who said that just one civilian died. Both sources held Russia responsible for the incident.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
12–20

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan al Subbul (خان السبل), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.753927, 36.770468. 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 September 1st – 30th 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (3)