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

August 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1177

LOCATION

احسم, Ihsem, Jabal al Zawia, Idlib, Syria

One child died in an airstrike on Ihsem, Jabal Al-Zawia, local media reported. Two sources said that the regime carried out attacks on the town. While none of the reports blamed Russia, most of them referred to unidentified “warplanes”, meaning that Moscow’ involvement could not be ruled out. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported

Summary

First published
August 21, 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
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1210

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named one child killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor. Euphrates Post also named the child and blamed Russia for his death. A number of other sources didn’t identify the “warplanes” responsible.

Summary

First published
September 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

September 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1242

LOCATION

التح, al Tah, Idlib, Syria

One child died and six or seven other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bennesh in Idlib, according to local media. Sources reported that the strike hit Fatima Al-Zahra mosque. The Shaam News Network reported that the mosque was destroyed in the attack – while reports put the number on non-combatants wounded

Summary

First published
September 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–8
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 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1275 CS315

LOCATION

تل حسان, Tall Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

One named civilian died and between three and 15 others were injured in an airstrike on Tall Hassan’s main mosque, near Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime or the US-led Coalition were to blame. Lens Young Manbij reported that “A short while ago a Coalition raid on the

Summary

First published
September 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–15
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1307

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A 44-year-old woman, was killed by warplanes striking the town of Khan al Assal, west of Aleppo, local reports claimed – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. @ShahbaPress tweeted that “Russian occupation aircraft bombed the town of Kafr Dael phosphorus, rockets and Khan Al Assal

Summary

First published
September 22, 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

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1666

LOCATION

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that airstrikes struck the city of Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, and led to the death of two civilians and several injured. The strikes were reportedly  part of a widespread shelling of Aleppo. According to Sky News, “intensive raids targeted the neighbourhoods of the Masaken Hanano, Salah al-Din and Al Jazmati and Al Mashhad.

Summary

First published
November 23, 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

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

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

Incident date

July 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3509

LOCATION

أرمناز , Armanaz, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that one child was killed, and another injured as a result of the explosion of remnants of a cluster bomb in Armanaz, northwest Idlib on July 3rd, 2018. The munitions are suspected to be the remnants of Russian or Syrian airstrikes. Smart News stated that “local activists said the bomb exploded while

Summary

First published
July 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3693

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latmina, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and others injured as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Ma’ardas town in Latamna on May 13th, 2019. Justice Organization reported that “The citizen Muhammad Ali Al-Jada’a was killed by Russian camp’s artillery shelling, west of the town of Ma’rades, in the city of

Summary

First published
May 13, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
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, Unknown
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS244

LOCATION

تلول الحمر, Tulul Al Humur, Hama, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tulul Al Humur. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

First published
December 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 25, 2019

Incident Code

RS3713

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil , Idlib, Syria

A 5-year-old boy was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on May 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Seven civilians, including three women and three children, were injured. Rabea al Ta’ta’, age five, was reported killed by a number of sources following airstrikes on Kafar Nabil. @abdallh37777 posted a

Summary

First published
May 25, 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
7
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

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS308

LOCATION

الديرونة, Daironeh, Hama, Syria

One adult male civilian, Staif al-Wahban, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Daironeh, Hama, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. No additional details are presently known.  

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
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3762

LOCATION

سفوهن, Safouhan, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Safouhan on June 4th, 2019, according to a local source. Step News reported that on the first day of Eid, a child was killed due to shelling on the village of Safouhan in the southern village of Idlib. However, none

Summary

First published
June 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS3217

LOCATION

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

One adult male was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Jisreen, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to the Step news agency, “Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels targeting the city

Summary

First published
March 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
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

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