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

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2582

LOCATION

قرية الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was killed and several other civilians were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes in al-Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Euphrates Post summed up the event by reporting “the martyrdom of the child Ali Mohi Al-Hussein Al-Ramdan in addition to the injury of three people.” Most sources reported that two raids had been launched, except @JFLngo,

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
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

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2517

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and they identified Russian forces as responsible for the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
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

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2832

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'ret Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was killed and several others were left wounded as an alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrike hit Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, local media reported. @aladeyeh and Masar Press, who both identified Russia as the culprit, reported one fatality and two wounded. Meanwhile, @OsamaKaial reported that the strike had wounded several civilians. It was the

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
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

October 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS031

LOCATION

تل عاس, Telaas, Idlib, Syria

A possible civilian was reported killed in an alleged Russian strike at Telaas near Khan Shaykhoun. VDC named one adult male as a non-combatant victim. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported only that “A fighter from a combat force was killed from wounds sustained after Russian planes targeted Brigade 13 in Telaas in southern Idlib

Summary

First published
October 9, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS063

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar Rastan, Homs, Syria

A number of civilians were reported injured, after a midnight Russian air raid on the headquarters of a local rebel faction based in Ar Rastan. Two fighters were confirmed killed. one of whom was originally reported to have been a non-combatant. According to Sin News, the air raid “resulted in the collapse of the entire

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS3621

LOCATION

بادية ريف ديرالزور الغربي, Badiyah of Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that a child died of her injuries on April 25th after alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Badiyah (the desert) in the western Deir Ezzor countryside several days earlier. @DeirEzzor24 tweeted: “The child Sumaya Saleh Al Bayram died of injuries she received several days ago in aerial bombardment by #Russia on the Badiyah

Summary

First published
April 23, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

May 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3670

LOCATION

أم نير,, Um Neir, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Neir, Idlib governorate, on May 6th, according to local media. Hmaid al Mohammad was killed as fixed-wing warplanes believed to be Russian fired a missile on Um Neir village in Idlib, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. An unknown number of civilians were also

Summary

First published
May 6, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Incident Code

RS3684

LOCATION

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

A young civilian male from the town of Latamna was killed by Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Zakat in Hama on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV wrote that “a young man from the town of Al Latamneh was killed by artillery shelling on the village of Zakat in

Summary

First published
May 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 man)
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

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS192

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

According to Zaitonmag, Russian aircraft carried out a raid on Sarmada on the Turkish border, “targeting a garage of relief trucks which has led to anonymous martyrs and two people slightly injured.“ The Syrian Network also reported the event, saying the attack by warplanes destroyed eight trucks and a water tank and killed one person.

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
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
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS481

LOCATION

حي الطحطوح, Al Tahtu (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Amid multiple air raids on civilian towns in Deiz ez-Zor, Russian warplanes are alleged to have killed an adult male civilian at Al Tahtu.  

Summary

First published
January 27, 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 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS673

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that Russia carried out an airstrike on Babis, killing several civilians and wounding more. Most reports did not mention deaths but said there had been a number of injured non-combatants, with Micro Syria reporting that “many” were wounded. Shahba put the number of injured at four.  

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS705

LOCATION

حلب, Aleppo, Syria

One adult civilian died and three children were reported wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo, according to local sources. The VDC named a victim as  Ahmad Abd al-Kareem al-Shaikh and blamed Russia. A Tweet by Ahat Watan said: “Young Ahmed Abdul Karim Sheikh, another martyr, God willing, was killed by the criminal Russian airstrike this

Summary

First published
March 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS737

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

One civilian died in Talbisah while trying to defuse a Russian cluster bomb, according to multiple sources. Other reports said that both Russian strikes and regime artillery shelling killed a number of other civilians, though didn’t specify numbers. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Houssien Abdul Kareem Al Deheik, a 38-year-old trainer in

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2461

LOCATION

موحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One female was killed due to alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Mohassein, local media reported. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3163

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

One woman was killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Most sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime or the raids. Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes launched a rocket-propelled grenade in the center of the city, killing one woman and wounding four others, including two women

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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

March 13, 2018

Incident Code

RS3256

LOCATION

مركز 103 للدفاع المدني, civil defence center no :103, Damascus, Syria

One member of the White Helmets was killed and three more injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on the civil defence centre 103 in Damascus, local media reported. Douma.Revolution and @SiegeWatch  reported that one civil defence volunteer, Rifat Idris, was killed, and three more were wounded. The airstrikes that struck the Civil Defence

Summary

First published
March 13, 2018
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
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Incident Code

RS4047

LOCATION

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria

One child was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, on August 18th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “the child Adib Mustafa Qal’a Ji was killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 18th.” Halab Today also reported that “a

Summary

First published
August 18, 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS4083

LOCATION

تل منس , Tal Mans, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and others injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on TalMans, according to local media. Step reported: “Russian warplanes and helicopters targeted all the towns of the southern and south eastern Idlib countryside with barrels, killing…one civilian in Tal Mnes”. Justice Organisation blamed the regime for the death of Abdul Ilah

Summary

First published
August 27, 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
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

September 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1245

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died and in an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on the al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media. A number of sources blamed Russia, though others referred only to “warplanes”, while one source, Alburaq, reported that both “Russian and Syrian warplanes killed a civilian”. According to Smart Russia

Summary

First published
September 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1529

LOCATION

بابتو, Babto, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike on a grain storage center and a mill in the village of Babbto in the countryside of western Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Images posted by Thiqa News and a video posted by AlBouAzezi show the damage to the grain storage structure that ultimately led to

Summary

First published
November 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3579

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

12-year-old girl Mariam Mahmoud Hassan Rahhal was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Kfar Zeita, north-east of Souran in the northern suburb of Hama. Two other civilians were wounded, whom according to some sources, were children as well.  Smart News Agency reported “the killing of a girl and wounding two

Summary

First published
January 22, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
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
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

May 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2245a

LOCATION

مناطق الحماد, Al Hammad, Homs, Syria

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the the Al Hammad areas of Homs, local media reported. All local sources that reported on the incident, including the Violations Documentation Center, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
May 18, 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

February 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3593

LOCATION

خان شيخون,, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

One named adult male civilian died and several others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun on February 28th, 2019, local media reported. Most sources blamed regime forces stationed at Qabariya camp, though Smart – citing activists – pointed to Russian forces. According to Orient News, “Assad militia targeted the city

Summary

First published
February 28, 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
1–2
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 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2661

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An elderly man was reportedly killed following an airstrike on Abu Kamal at noon on October 28th. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most blamed Russian warplanes, however some did not attribute blame, while Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the Syrian regime was responsible. The strike reportedly “targeted the perimeter

Summary

First published
October 28, 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS106

LOCATION

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

One child was reported killed and two or more non-combatants injured following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jbala. While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.  

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS138

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reported one male child has a following an alleged strike by Russian warplanes. Local reporters and activists also reported that Russia had attacked the town.    

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
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

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS236

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

The Union of Hama Rebels reported that five people were killed in Hama but did not state whether they were civilians. It added that one of those killed was “documented in secret” and named him as Ahmad Mohammad Al Abboud, who died “as a result of Russian bombing on Kafr Zita in Hama countryside.” No

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS332

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria

One adult male, Bahaa Mohammad al-Sabouh (pictured) was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Subul. Step News said that “Russian planes launched several air raids on the town of Khan Subul and Mount Shahshabo from the southern countryside of Idlib, resulting in one civilian death in Khan Subul and several injuries among civilians.” However

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS2926

LOCATION

القرويطة, Al-Qarweta, Hama, Syria

A woman was killed and another was injured in airstrikes which struck the vicinity of Al-Qarweta. All sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute blame. Sources reported that the Russian shelling struck the outskirts of the village of Al-Qarweta in Mount Shahshabo. The woman was allegedly displaced. There are no

Summary

First published
January 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Incident Code

R3547

LOCATION

ديرسنبل, Deir Sunbul, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out a series of airstrikes using rockets and heavy artillery shells on several cities, killing one child in Deir Sunbul and injuring other civilians. The source claimed that the rockets used were loaded with phosphorus. The victim child

Summary

First published
June 4, 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)
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