Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2289a

LOCATION

الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A man was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Hamidiya, local media reported. There were no wounded civilians reported. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
June 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2324

LOCATION

عقيبرات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed one child and wounded several others as the ISIS-held city of Akeirbat, Hama, was hit from the skies, local media reported. Smart News Agency was the only source reporting about the civilian harm caused by the airstrikes. The media reported; “a child was killed and others were injured in an air strike

Summary

First published
July 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2015

Incident Code

RS124

LOCATION

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

There was no airstrike conducted on Nov 6th; however, VDC claimed that Mostafa Assem al Arki was killed during alleged Russian air forces shelling in the village Qaryatain. Mostafa Assem al Arki’s death perhaps come after his injured due to the airstrike carried out on Nov 2nd and he died four days later.

Summary

First published
November 6, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2858

LOCATION

عجاز, Ajaz, Idlib, Syria

An elderly woman was killed in a suspected Russian and Syrian regime airstrike on Ajaz, Idlib. Most sourced blamed the Syrian regime, however Shaam News Network blamed both the regime and Moscow for the raids. There are no reports of wounded civilians however sources reported that the village was on fire, so we can assume

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2018

Incident Code

RS2899

LOCATION

انقراتي, Ankarati, east of Tal Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

A named adult male was reported killed and his brother was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes which hit Ankarati, Idlib. All local media blamed Russian warplanes for the incident. In a similar fashion to a series of other raids which occurred around this time, the planes targeted the vicinity during the night. The brother was

Summary

First published
January 15, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS414

LOCATION

معردبسة, Ma’ardabssa, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed and several other civilians injured following an alleged Russian raid on the town of Ma’ardabssa, according to the Shaam News Network. Fresh Syria reported that “a woman was killed  in the village of Ma’ardebsah Idlib, a result of the Russian aviation targeting the village on Sunday afternoon with three air raids. The raids

Summary

First published
January 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS670

LOCATION

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that one civilian, was killed in an airstrike at a roundabout in the village of Al Hissan – though did not say who carried out the strike. However, Shaam News Network said Russia was responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Warplane shelling thought to be

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3152

LOCATION

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Otaya, local media reported. There were not many specific details reported, but it is clear that Otaya was one of many small towns struck in Idlib on the 3rd. Arabic Euro reported “the latest air raids and

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2019

Incident Code

RS3893

LOCATION

الكفير, Al Kafir, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed, and 19 to 27 injured in airstrikes on Al Kafir, Idlib, on July 11th. Jisr Media Center named 70-year old Omar Jabbu as killed in the attack, and  27 others who were wounded in the incident, including many children. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that “more than 19 people

Summary

First published
July 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
19–27
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
28 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1056

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that one child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Adadan, July 26th 2016. Thiqa News Agency released footage showing the use of cluster bombs in the raid. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. According to Anadan Media “Civil defense forces try to rescue the wounded due to Russian

Summary

First published
July 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1259

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Raqqa according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. Ahmad Shibli, Hasaka Rasd and @alhasakaalhadth blamed the Coalition for the victims death. However, according to Baladi, he was killed in a Russia strike. This

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Incident Code

RS3237

LOCATION

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

A child was killed and others were wounded in airstrikes in Jisreen, according to local media. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids on the vicinity. Step News Agency reported that “Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels targeting the town of Jisreen”. There were airstrikes were reportedly loaded

Summary

First published
March 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1487 RS2446

LOCATION

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died in an airstrike on Mrat, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame for this death. According to Syrianoor, “Activists confirmed that more than 100 civilians – mostly children and women – died during four massacres committed by Russian warplanes and international coalition aircraft in the city

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1102

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

One male civilian died and six others were wounded in multiple strikes on Saraqeb, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the attacks. According to Syria News Desk, “Russian aviation targeted Saraqeb and its outskirts with 28 raids, killing one civilian and wounding six

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

August 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS4002

LOCATION

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Mouqa, Idlib governorate, on August 10th, 2019, according to local sources. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Ahmad Mohammad al Sourani was killed in shelling by Syrian regime forces missiles launcher on Mouqa village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate,

Summary

First published
August 10, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1458

LOCATION

Al Ghinto, Homs, Syria

One civilian, named as Jihad Saadallah Assaf, died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Ghinto village, according to local media. Smart News Agency reported that “four civilians, including three women, were killed today [Oct 15th] by an aerial and artillery bombardment on the town of Talbessa

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1490

LOCATION

Al Jidar, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Jidar, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though one indicated that the regime had also carried out raids on Idlib on this day. Russia: @syriahadath reported one civilian fatality as the result of Russia shelling. The report mentioned the use of

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1751

LOCATION

كفر نوران, Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One adult male was killed, and the rest of his family was injured, in an alleged Russian raid which targeted a residential area and a school in Kafr Nouran, Aleppo, according to local media. All sources blamed Russia, which reportedly carried out four raids on the vicinity.  According to a sources, the aerial bombardment caused extensive

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1893

LOCATION

سجن غرز, Gharaz prison, Daraa, Syria

One civilian died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Gharaz prison, according to local media. Syria News Desk reported: “A number of civilians are wounded after Russian warplanes struck the building of Gharaz prison east of Daraa which is taken by the opposition’s court of justice as a head

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2149

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

A woman was killed in the night, following an alleged Russian raid on Kafr Zita, according to local media. Two of the sources blamed Russia for the raids, and the third did not attribute any blame. There were no reports of any wounded civilians. There are no more details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2282

LOCATION

عزالدين, Izzedin, Homs, Syria

A male child was killed, and between one and two other civilians were wounded, following the explosion of remnants left by a previous airstrike on Izzedin, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed a previous Russian raid, while others blamed the Syrian regime. The sources, however, do agree

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2312

LOCATION

جديدة بكارة, Jadida Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One adult male died, and ” a number of others” were wounded, in an airstrike on Jadida Bakara desert, according to local media. Almost all sources blamed Russian shelling for the civilian casualties, however, two sources did not apportion blame. Euphrates Post reported that “Hammadi Aboud al-A’tish (civilian) was killed in a military air strike

Summary

First published
June 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2525

LOCATION

ﺍﻟﺨﺮﻃﻴﺔ, al Kharita, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One woman was killed in airstrikes against the town of al Kharita in Deir Ezzor governorate according to local sources. It is unclear which belligerent was to blame for the strikes, however some sources here confirm there were clashes with the Syrian regime and Russia and Daesh in the area around that date. While the

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS039

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

A woman was reported killed in Russia’s first confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus, which struck the suburb of Hamouriya.  

Summary

First published
October 14, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS2880

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Hama, Syria

A child, Ayman Abdelkader El Sayed, died from his wounds “a few days” after an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Sajneh, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russia. Only two sources reported on the child’s death. One of them described the raid as a Russian “missile attack”. There were no reports of wounded and no

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2019

Incident Code

RS3709

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nubul, Idlib, Syria

Residential neighbourhoods of Kafr Nabil were subject to a number of airstrikes on May 24th, leading to the death of one child, named Ahmad Mahmoud Salah al-Satam, according to local media. With a number of sources referring to “others wounded”, Smart News claimed that the rest of Ahmad’s family were hospitalised as a result of

Summary

First published
May 24, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2019

Incident Code

RS3775

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed and up to three women were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on civilian homes in the outskirts of Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on June 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported “the death of a child and the wounding of three women as a

Summary

First published
June 8, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS521

LOCATION

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria

One male child, Reda Waleed Othman, was named by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported the death of Othman, stating that he was killed by “indiscriminate” Russian shelling.  

Summary

First published
February 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS585

LOCATION

الشميطية, Shmaitieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was killed and three other civilians injured in airstrikes on Shmaitieh, according to local sources – though they are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Both the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights named a nine-year-old victim as Mohammad Abdul Kareem

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3829

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and two others injured in an airstrike on Ma’aret Misrin, Idlib, on June 20th. Syria Civil Defense reported that “the town of Ma’ra Misrin, in the countryside of Idlib, was targeted by missiles from the military aircraft of the regime forces, which led to the martyrdom of a man and

Summary

First published
June 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident