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

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1600

LOCATION

بلدة العيس, Al Eis, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died in a suspected Russian airstrike on Al Eis town in Aleppo, according to one source. The civilian was named in a list of victims by Halab News Network. There is currently no further information.

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
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

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1718

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

One named woman died and two or three other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Ltamenah, according to sources on the ground. Only one source explicitly blamed Russia; the others didn’t apportion blame. HNN reported: “Russian enemy planes targeted  the town of Ltamenah in the northern Hama countryside with an air raid killing one woman

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1784

LOCATION

قرية عرفة, Arafeih, Hama, Syria

At least one child was killed and another child was injured from the explosion of a cluster bomb that was left behind by alleged Russian airstrikes a few months prior in the village of Arafeih in eastern Hama, according to local media. The child killed from the cluster bomb was a 12-year-old boy; his brother

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
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 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS564

LOCATION

البوعمر, Al Buomar, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One adult male civilian, Naji al Izbeh, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buomar, according to the Violations Documentation Center and other local sources – though there is some confusion among sources as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. In an initial tweet, LCCSY said this was a strike by the

Summary

First published
February 7, 2016
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS628

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian, from Sheikh Miskeen in Dara’a, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Syria Martrys also named the victim and blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
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

February 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS692

LOCATION

قبتان الجبل, Qabtan al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria

One male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Centre as 40-year-old Qasem Mahmoud Samoa, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qabtan al Jabal according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network there were “several air raids on the towns of Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hraytan and Ma’arat al Arteek in the northern countryside and

Summary

First published
February 28, 2016
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

May 17, 2018

Incident Code

RS3434

LOCATION

تل صندل, Tal Sandel, Idlib, Syria

A civilian was killed and four others, including women, were wounded as a result of airstrikes on the village of Tal Sandal, Idlib governorate, according to local sources. These blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime. Orient News reported that “a civilian was killed and four others, including women, were injured on Thursday evening [May

Summary

First published
May 17, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS820

LOCATION

منظومة شام الإسعافية, Sham Aiding system Idlib, Idlib, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that “alleged Russian fixed-wing warplanes targeted the Sham Aiding system in Idlib city. As a result one civilian was killed and four vehicles belonging to Sham aiding system were damaged in addition to damages to the nearby buildings.” AH Relief – which published pictures of

Summary

First published
May 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS917

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple sources, including LCCSY, and a video by Halab TV, reported a female civilian was killed in raids on Kafr Hamra. Umayyapress news reported that ‘more than two dozen airstrikes’ took place on Kafr Hamra, and pointed to both the regime and Russia. In a facebook post by LCCSY Russian action was also directly blamed for this

Summary

First published
June 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3072

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

One named civilian man was killed along with “tens” of wounded, local media reported as Hamouriya, like the rest of eastern Ghouta, continued to be under aerial shelling, carried out by Russian and/or the Syrian regime. Besides from airstrikes, Baladi News reported the launch of explosive barrels, and al-Jazeera, citing local sources, reported how “the regime (Assad,

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20
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

July 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS982

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One man was killed in an attack by an alleged Russian warplane in al Sukkari on July 10th 2016. All sources reported that the attack was carried out by Russian; there was no mention of the Syrian regime. “Others” were reported to have been wounded with no mention of numbers. Sinn News however published a

Summary

First published
July 10, 2016
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

August 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS4058

LOCATION

بلدة التح, Al Tah Town, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and others wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Tah Town, Idlib, on August 20th, 2019. Edlib Media Center documented “a martyr and several wounded after the Russian occupation forces targeted the town of Al Tah, south of Idlib, with vacuum missiles.” Macro Media Center and Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
August 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2016

Incident Code

R1564

LOCATION

مخيم الجميلية, Al Jamilia camp, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed and two others were injured by an alleged bombardment by either an unidentified warplane or an unmanned drone, in a targeted attack on a camp for displaced peoples in Idlib. Sources have not identified the warplane as Russian, however, due to alleged Russian activity in the vicinity at this time, Airwars

Summary

First published
November 11, 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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1780

LOCATION

الأتارب, al-Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that a seven-months-old child, identified as Mahmoud al Said, died from a heart attack triggered by alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atarib Aleppo.  @khaleedalkhteb reported that the child “was killed by a heart attack from the intensity of fear and panic after the brutal Russian shelling near his home”. Another source added that

Summary

First published
December 8, 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 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS1899

LOCATION

بصرى الشام , Basra al Sham, Daraa, Syria

Local media reported the death of one adult male civilian (named below) in an airstrike on Basra al Sham. Most sources attributed the strike to Russia – and published images showing widespread destruction in the town. Civilian homes and a school were among the buildings reportedly damaged. However Aljazeera and several other sources reported that the

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
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
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 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3575

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

According to local sources, artillery shelling targeted a civilian house in Kafr Zeita, north of Hama. The resident, a woman, allegedly died of her injuries on January 29th after being hit by a missile on January 16th.  There were varying reports on the culprit; some sources blamed the Syrian regime while others blamed Russian forces.

Summary

First published
January 16, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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

August 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2384

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One man was killed, and others were reportedly wounded, following an airstrike on Hatla. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. some blaming the Syrian regime, while others attributed blame to Moscow. Baladi even blamed “unknown warplanes” for the raids. Jisirtv described the bombardment as a missile attack, while others

Summary

First published
August 12, 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

March 9, 2019

Incident Code

RS3596

LOCATION

قرية المنطار في جسر الشغور,, Al Mentar village in Jisr Al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Following the alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mentar detailed in event R3385, local media said that Russian warplanes returned to the area during the rescue attempts and struck the Syrian Civil Defence as they went about their duties. Multiple sources reported that SCD volunteer and journalist Mahmoud Abdel Al was killed – in addition to

Summary

First published
March 9, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2644

LOCATION

البوليل, Al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A man was killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Bouleil, according to local media. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute blame to any belligerent. According to local media, the bombardments were heavy and occurred during the night. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
October 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

April 30, 2019

Incident Code

RS3633

LOCATION

الحويجة, Al Hawaija, Hama, Syria

One civilian died and another was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Al Hawaija, Hama governorate, on April 30th, 2019, according to local media. Most sources blamed regime artillery for the civilian harm but there were also allegations that Russia carried out airstrikes. Local sources reported heavy artillery shelling in

Summary

First published
April 30, 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
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS146

LOCATION

خنيفيس, Khnefes, Homs, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and Al Qaryatayn, one adult male named was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khnefes near Palmyra. His Facebook martyr’s page noted: “We celebrate the life of the martyr Khaled Saleh Al Darweesh [Al Arabiya], Abou Sleiman, who died on Friday following the oppressive Russian planes raids on

Summary

First published
November 13, 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident