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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS096

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least 10 and as many as 13 civilians were reported killed and 40 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab. According to Shaam News, “More than 10 civilians were killed in the city of Al Bab controlled by IS in addition to many injured. The aircraft targeted Al Rihawi mosque, Martta Square, Beith

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 13
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
40
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

November 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS132

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

According to multiple sources, at least ten non-combatants died, and 30 were injured by alleged Russian warplanes struck the popular market in the centre of Ma’arat Al Numan. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the alleged raids, but a member of The White Helmets, who came to the scene, told SN4HR Russian

Summary

First published
November 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(10–12 men)
Civilians reported injured
30
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
11 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS164

LOCATION

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets reported the death of one man and the injuring of his wife, following several alleged Russian airstrikes during the evening on the town of Al Rahiba. However the VDC reported the death of an unnamed civilian male “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Free Syrian Army noted only that an

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS197

LOCATION

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Three non-combatants including two women were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a farm 7km from the city of Qaryatain. The Syrian Network for Human Rights described the location as providing shelter to internally displaced civilians. The VDC named two victims, and  SN4HR named the third victim who was named byrom Haraween in Homs

Summary

First published
November 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Incident Code

RS229

LOCATION

الأربعين‎, Al Arbain, Hama, Syria

The Union of Hama Rebels, the SHRC and the VDC have all named five civilians including two women, whom they say died in a Russian airstrike on the village of Al Arbain.  

Summary

First published
December 4, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women3 men)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS262

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was reported killed and another civilian injured in an alleged Russian airstrike at Hajeen. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS295

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Up to fifteen civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to the Shaam News Network. It said the raids were carried out by tens of Russian warplanes, adding that about 40 raids additional raids also targeted nearby towns and villages relating to battles between rebels and the

Summary

First published
December 20, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 15
Civilians reported injured
24–25
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

December 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS327

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Three to four civilians including one child were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that it was the second day in a row that Russian  warplanes killed non-combatants in the city and said that three had died in bombing raids carried out by “tens of Russian aircraft

Summary

First published
December 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
24
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS359

LOCATION

سفلانية, Suflaniyah, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians including three women and two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saflaneh, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.  

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children3 women)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS391

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria

Eight to nine civilians including one to two women and two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr al Asafeer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the White Helmets. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that eight non-combatants including one woman and two children were killed and others injured when “warplanes believed

Summary

First published
January 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(2 children1–2 women5 men)
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
8 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS423

LOCATION

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and seven civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian strike on Al Hissan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported on “more than 20 strikes on the western countryside of Deir Ezzor“, which included details on an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Hissan. Deir Ezzor24 said that

Summary

First published
January 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 children)
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
13 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS457

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between 13 and 19 civilians including 10 children and three women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. Syrian News Desk reported that at least 19 civilians died and more than 30 were wounded when Russian warplanes fired “cluster rockets” on the city “to coincide with helicopter dumping barrel bombs“.

Summary

First published
January 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 19
(10 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
20–30
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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS489

LOCATION

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

15 civilians including two to three women and one to three children were killed and 20 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to two local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that more than 15 were killed and 20 wounded when Russian warplanes targeted a nearby mosque. They added that residential neighbourhoods were targeted

Summary

First published
January 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(1–3 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
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

February 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS524

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and eight civilians were killed including two to four children, one to two women and two members of the Red Crescent – and dozens more injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that Russian forces launched “about 50 airstrikes” which including cluster munitions, targeting

Summary

First published
February 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2–4 children1–2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
24
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS558

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. The victims included members of a family who had returned to Anadan to bury their two children killed in a strike on Kafr Hamra on February 7th, listed above. The Shaam News Network reported that five were killed and

Summary

First published
February 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS590

LOCATION

الصالحين, el Salheen, Aleppo, Syria

According to a single source, the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Salheen neighborhood of Aleppo. The victims were named by the Center.  

Summary

First published
February 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(0–3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS623

LOCATION

جاسم, Jassem, Daraa, Syria

Three civilians (one man and his two children) died in an airstrike on Jassem, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network reported three deaths – “a father and his two children” – and blamed Russia. It also

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS655

LOCATION

ابطع, Ibta', Daraa, Syria

One adult female was killed in an airstrike on Ibta’, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. The VDC named the victim and said she died “in a Jordanian hospital due to her wounds sustained by the regime air forces’ shelling”

Summary

First published
February 22, 2016
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS687

LOCATION

معارة الأرتيق, Maarat Artik, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Artik, according to local sources. Multiple reports blamed Russia: Akhbar Alaan put the death toll at three including one child with four more civilians injured. AMC said that as many as five non-combatants perished. According to Syrian Press Centre,

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2 children)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS719

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One woman and her child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network reported that a girl was killed and several others injured in dozens of alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra. It published a video showing bombing on neighbourhoods – though it is not clear whether this is

Summary

First published
March 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS751 CS201

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

At least five and as many as 20 civilians were reported killed and 53 injured after heavy alleged Coalition, Russian and/or Syrian regime night time strikes on Raqqa. Most sources allege that these were Coalition and regime raids – with the Coalition responsible for those after midnight and the regime for early morning strikes. Coalition

Summary

First published
April 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(1–3 children1–4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
53
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS784

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported about continued airstrikes in al-Sakhour, Aleppo, that killed up to five civilians, including one child and wounded up to four. Sources were constesting regarding the cultprit, pointing to both the Assad regime and Russia. Shaam News Network, reported “For the eighth day in a row Assad’s and Russian aircraft continue to pour

Summary

First published
April 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 child1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS816

LOCATION

‏الكبر‬, Al Kiber, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian male named as Sahir Attallah al Ayyad died from injuries sustained in a reported Russian airstrike on al Kiber “two months earlier.” No additional details are presently known, including the precise date of death.    

Summary

First published
May 29, 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

June 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS849

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

A family of five died in an airstrike on the village of Kafr Halab, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The White Helmets reported that a family of five died and several other civilians were injured alleged Russian strikes on Kafr Halab. It

Summary

First published
June 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 woman1 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS881

LOCATION

حي ‏الجزماتي‬, Al Jazmati (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including a child and a woman died and dozens more were injured when non-combatants’ homes were struck by airstrikes in the Al Jazamati neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY blamed Russian strikes

Summary

First published
June 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS913

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Two named civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Bab, according to local media. Activists speaking to syrianpc news  said that Russian warplanes launched strikes on residential buildings in the city of Al Bab, killing two civilians and wounding five others. A number of sources which reported the incident did not identify the

Summary

First published
June 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS947

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and another eight were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Saraqib, local sources on the ground reported. According to Baladi, “Warplanes launched two raids targeting residential neighborhoods in the city with Saraqib, resulting in martyrs and eight wounded, White Helmets teams went to the place and worked to dig out one the

Summary

First published
June 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS979

LOCATION

حريتان, Assiya (Hraytan), Aleppo, Syria

Four members of the Civil Defence Service were killed while traveling from Anadan to rescue civilians in Assiya, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency said that the Civil Defence team were specifically targeted with a missile. Al Jazeera claimed that it was the Syrian regime who were shelling various areas of

Summary

First published
July 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1011

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, Izaz, Aleppo, Syria

A Civil Service Defence Quarter was put out of service when two warplanes fired missiles on Izaz, Aleppo, a town close to the Turkish border in northern Aleppo. Up to  five civilians including a child reportedly died in the attack, which caused extensive destruction to the building and injured several Civil Defence workers. Ara News

Summary

First published
July 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1043

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 22 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on civilian homes and the main market in Al Atarib, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Many sources alleged that both parties carried out tens of strikes. LCCSY, for example, said

Summary

First published
July 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 22
(1 woman6 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–65
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
6 named
View Incident