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

May 2, 2019

Incident Code

RS3646

LOCATION

أبديتا, Abdita, Idlib, Syria

One elderly man died and a woman was wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib, according to local media. According to the White Helmets, “a man was killed and a large house and property destroyed when a fire broke out in the village of Abdita. Helicopters targeted the village of

Summary

First published
May 2, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

November 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS134

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least one civilian was killed and 10 injured, in dozens of alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes. The Observatory said it expected the death toll to rise, as some people were left in a critical condition. A victim was later named by the VDC. The Syrian Network

Summary

First published
November 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS166

LOCATION

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria

According to the Union of Hamas Rebels, one adult civilian male was killed and two or more people injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tal Hadya. The Violations Documentation Center also named the victim, It also identifies him as a civilian but has published an image of him wearing a militant bandana. His combatant

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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

November 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS199

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Wadi al Ahmar, Homs, Syria

One adult male civilian was reported killed –  VDC named the victim – following multiple alleged Russian airstrikes at Al Wadi Al Ahmar, east of Palmyra, according to local monitors. Activists said the historic city’s archaeological campus was badly damaged as a result of one of the raids, and that other strikes hit different parts

Summary

First published
November 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
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

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS264

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the VDC. The victim has been named as Zamzam Abdo Al Laban from Kafr Zita Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS360

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab, according to the Shaam News Network.  

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

June 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3812

LOCATION

كرسعة, Karsa’a, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed, and “others wounded”, in airstrikes on Karsa’a, Idlib, on June 16th. Syrian network for Human Rights names Ahmad Adnan al Ali as the victim of the attack. Three sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while Shaam News referred to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.

Summary

First published
June 16, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3828

LOCATION

العامرية, Al Amiriya, Idlib, Syria

One woman was reported killed on airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling on Al Amiriya, Idlib, on June 20th. Idlib Plus named the women victim to the attack as Hala Abd Al Qader Hassoun. However, other sources mentioned that the victim is a child. Step Agency reported that “a military air raid on Amiriya north of Khan Sheikhoun

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 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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS648

LOCATION

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria

One 15-year-old girl, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Abu Dhuhur, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However, according to Smart News Agency, the regime carried out a raid on the town.  

Summary

First published
February 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS680

LOCATION

زاكية, Zakiya, Damascus, Syria

A single source, Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, reported the death of Hatem Abu Mohammad due to “indiscriminate Russian warplane shelling“. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS873

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza. All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
June 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS938

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, one woman was killed and up to ten other civilians were injured from an airstrike on Kafr Hamra. The majority of sources reported that the strike was Russian, however, the Blog Amin News said that it was carried out by the Syrian regime. The source also said that ‘Syrian children were

Summary

First published
June 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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

August 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS4090

LOCATION

تلمنس, Telmans, Idlib, Syria

The Step News agency reported the death of one civilian in an alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strike on Telmans on August 28, 2019. Step News identified one civil as being killed while Smart reported that there were wounded civilians in a regime strike. A tweet by @alhariri58 described vacuum missiles as being

Summary

First published
August 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1220

LOCATION

الزربة, Al Zorba, Aleppo, Syria

One child died and other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al Zorba, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to both Russia and Syrian regime. Syrian Press Centre, Syrian News, Alwatan and the Smart News Agency all said that several civilians were wounded in

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
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 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1415

LOCATION

البلاط, al Balat, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, the neighbourhood al-Balat in Aleppo was hit by air and/or artillery strikes which led to the death of one child and the injury of several more people, including the child’s father. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, although the majority of

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1447

LOCATION

‏التمانعه‬, al Tamana, Idlib, Syria

One woman died and three other civilians including two children were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Al Tamana’a town, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported that “Russian planes launched several raids using bunker-busting missiles after mid night targeting al Taman’a town in southern Idlib, killing

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1532

LOCATION

الميدعاني, Al Midani , Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and others were injured in airstrikes that struck Al Midiani town in Eastern Ghouta, Damascus. According to multiple sources, a series of three air raids were launched by warplanes – with LCCSY specifying the use of thermobaric missiles. An image posted by @SCDrifdimashq shows a victim of the airstrikes being carried

Summary

First published
November 6, 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

January 17, 2019

Incident Code

RS3576

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

A 53-year-old man died and up to four of his family members were wounded and rescued from the rubble of their home in Al Lataminah, following an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery shelling by the Assad regime, according to sources on the ground. Syria.tv noted that the adult male victim, Khaled Karmo Al-Hilal (named by multiple sources)

Summary

First published
January 17, 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
2–4
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2050

LOCATION

كنيسة نخلة, Kanissat Nakhla, Idlib, Syria

A woman was killed and as many as four other civilians were wounded, in an alleged Russian raid on Kanissat Nakhla, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or unidentified warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights singularly reported that a school (Nakhla Church School) was struck in the raid, and published

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2079

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that Zayed Awad al Rajab was the victim of Russian warplane shelling on Kafr Zita.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
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.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2194

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

According to the Step News Agency, “a woman was killed and several of her children injured following Russian raid targeting Kafr Zita in northern countryside of Hama.” The Violations Documentation Centre also named one woman as killed by Russian forces. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2594

LOCATION

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A girl died and up to four others were injured – including a young girl – following airstrikes on Dablan, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, however most blamed Russian warplanes, while others blamed “unknown” warplanes. According to sources, a school was struck as well as residential housing. Dablan

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2816

LOCATION

رسم العيد, Rasim Al-Abid, Idlib, Syria

An adult male was killed, and others were wounded, when alleged Russian warplanes struck Rasim Al-Abid camp for Internally Displaced Peoples. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming Russia but some blaming the Syrian regime. One source states that the bombardments by Russia were “hysterical” with as many as 25

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS113

LOCATION

سكيك, Sakik, Idlib, Syria

An initial report by the Violations Documentation Center named one adult male as a civilian medical worker who killed in an alleged Russian airstrike but did not specify the location. However, a later listing by the VDC identified him both as a paramedic and as a non-civilian, killed “during clashes with the regime’s army forces“.

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS145

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre reported that one adult male was killed as a result of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes. Mr al Rajab’s status is contested, with some reports claiming he was an opposition fighter. The pro-regime site Hama News Network said he was a field commander with the FSA, for example.    

Summary

First published
November 13, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS307

LOCATION

أم القرى, Um al Qura, Aleppo, Syria

One adult male civilian, Ali Al Akhras, was killed in an airstrike on Um Al Qura town, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. SN4HR reported that he died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Um Al Qura. The Violations Documentation Center listed him as killed “due to Russian air forces shelling” but did

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 18, 2018

Incident Code

RS2911

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

A baby was “burned” to death and as many as 12 others civilians were injured, in alleged napalm bomb strikes which hit the residential neighbourhood of Saraqeb, according to local media. All sources attributed Moscow to blame for the strikes. Sources reported that “dozens of strikes” struck “blood bank”, also known as medical facilities. The

Summary

First published
January 18, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3759

LOCATION

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Naqir on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported one civilian death as the result of Russian and Syrian airstrikes on Al Naqir.@EdlibNN identified the victim as 51-year-old Trad Rizk Al Jumah, but other sources reported the man

Summary

First published
June 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS435

LOCATION

كرم البيك, Karam al Bayk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One woman was killed and six to eight other civilians injured in airstrikes on the Karam al Bayk neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local sources. While most reports allege that Russia was responsible, another blames the Assad regime. Al Buraq named the victim and also reported that the Russian raids wounded eight other civilians. Smart said

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
6–8
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

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS499

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

One child died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Manbij, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. All 4 Syria also reported the death, and said the child’s family was injured in the attack.  

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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