Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS1813

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: August 4, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R1696RS1815)

As many as three civilians were killed, inducing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and up to three civilians were wounded, following an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. 

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. One source even blamed both belligerents for the raid.

According to @MousaAlomar, residential homes were struck in the raid. Photographic evidence showed the extent of devastation to the homes.

Assessment Updates

1 August 2025
The 'civilian harm status' variable was mistakenly left blank when this assessment was initially published. This assessment was updated to include a 'civilian harm status' grade.
4 August 2025
An image shared by @Mojahedaboaljod was referred to as an 'exploded artillery shell'. The image purportedly does not show an artillery shell, and the assessment was updated to reflect this.

Victims

Individuals

Rawan Hamo
Adult female pregnant killed

Key Information

Country
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1–3
1 Woman
Civilians reported injured
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Khan Sheikhoun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.440813, 36.6493607. 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 not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (8)