Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1519

Location

Al Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.09694444, 36.9125
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1379RS1512)

Two civilians died and up to three more, including children, were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Al Sheikh Ali town, according to sources on the ground.

The White Helmets reported: “Russian warplanes targeted the town of al Sheikh Ali in the western Aleppo countryside with vacuum missiles which led to the death of two people and the serious injury of two children. The civil defence is working on removing the martyrs from under the rubble and tending to the wounded.”

@SRG_Syria put the number of wounded at three.

While several sources named Russia as the culprit, a number didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Sheikh Ali, for which the generic coordinates are: 36.09694444, 36.9125. 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
On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo. ""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo. “We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence. According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."