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

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS569 RS1963

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians died and up to 16 others were wounded in an airstrike on Maskana, according to local sources – though field reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia. The Coalition later denied involvement. Syria News said that “According to activists,

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(0–2 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS815

LOCATION

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and ten civilians including one child and two women died – and 20 more people were injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Tal al Daman according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes used cluster bombs to strike the market. It put

Summary

First published
May 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–20
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

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1345

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians including a child were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in the Al Salheen neighbourhood of Aleppo. According to Al Jazeera, “ten people died in airstrikes with cluster bombs on the Salheen neighborhood in the city of Aleppo.” Baladi News said that barrel bombs were used which could

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1377 CS321

LOCATION

بقرص, Bokros, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 10 civilians including a family of four died following air raids on Bokros, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian regime, Russia and the Coalition were all blamed. According to Shaam News, “In the town of Bokros Coalition aircraft attacked houses belonging to civilians, which led to the death of four people,

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2019

Incident Code

RS2170

LOCATION

بسنقول, Bsanqoul, Idlib, Syria

At least nine civilians were killed in an airstrike in Bsanqoul, according to local media sources – though it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Al Jazeera, who placed the death toll at nine, attributed responsibility to Russian forces. They reported that the strike killed “leader of the movement Ahrar

Summary

First published
April 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 10
(6 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–9
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2455

LOCATION

الأزغير, Al'azghir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and nine civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al’azghir, according to local media. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1653

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians – including one woman – were killed, and as many as 24 were wounded when barrel bombs were reportedly dropped on a six story building in Sukkari neighbourhood, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. Some sources attributed the blame to Syrian regime “helicopters”, while others blamed Russian

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

April 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2200

LOCATION

كفرزيتا , Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Up to nine civilians including eight members of the civil defense died in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes in an “unprecedented bombing campaign” on Kafr Zita, according to local media. Eight of the victims were killed in a strike on a civil defense shelter, including Hassan Hammoud Arfat, a paramedic and Ahmad Nayef al

Summary

First published
April 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS250

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Up to nine civilians were killed, including six children, and 14 more people wounded including a woman, in airstrikes and ground assaults on Al Nashabiya. According to Shaam News the civilian deaths were a result of “violent attacks” by Russian warplanes and Assad’s forces. Activists published images showing the bodies of children who had “been broken in pieces by

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(5–6 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
14
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 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS805

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

It was reported that nine female farmers died when remains of cluster bombs allegedly fired by Russia exploded. Al Jisr TV also reported this information, but said this occurred in Kafr Hamra – which is possibly a mistake. Because of near-identical copy by all media, this is presently classed as a weakly reported incident.  

Summary

First published
May 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(9 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS528

LOCATION

برج قاعي, Burj Kai, Homs, Syria

Between seven and nine victims, including up four women and up to four children were killed – and several others injured – and several injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Burj Kai according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network initially reported that three Russian warplanes launched rocket attacks on several villages in the countryside of

Summary

First published
February 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(2–4 children4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1531

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Nine civilians were killed, including one woman with artillery and airstrikes which struck the town of Dara Izza. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights,  Abu Bakr Al Sedeeq Mosque was the main target. The airstrikes ultimately rendered the mosque inoperable due to serous damage to both the exterior and interior. Some sources only

Summary

First published
November 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1744

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬ , Marjah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

As many as nine civilians from the same family were killed, and some were wounded, in an alleged Russian raid on Marjah, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the attack. Although one source reported that four were killed, most others suggested it was a family of nine who were killed. According to the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(3 children)
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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2039

LOCATION

دير الشرقي, Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Nine named civilians, including up to five children and one woman, were killed and between 15 and 20 others were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the village of Deir al Sharqi. Sources that reported low casualty estimates, including the five deaths by Syrian News Network, acknowledged that these were the initial

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3–5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
15–20
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS2222

LOCATION

اللاطوم, Al Latoum, Homs, Syria

Between five and nine civilians were killed, and “dozens” were wounded, following an airstrike in Al Latoum, according to local media. Sources all attributed blame to Russian warplanes, with the exception of the Syrian Network for Human Rights who blamed the “Syrian-Russian alliance”. Sources reported that huge fires broke out and many people became displaced

Summary

First published
May 9, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(3–8 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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

October 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS089

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra. There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his

Summary

First published
October 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1 child8 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS2937

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Nine civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in airstrikes which hit a residential neighbourhood in Saraqeb in the morning, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. According to sources, warplanes and helicopters hit the vicinity with more than 40 raids, with four explosive barrels.

Summary

First published
January 28, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(2 children6 men)
Civilians reported injured
16–20
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS968

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Heavy and “barbaric” shelling killed six named civilians including two children and injured between 10 and 25 civilians in Ar-Rastan, Homs, according to local media. The majority of the injured were – according to Baladi News and Sna Agency – mostly women and children. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of

Summary

First published
July 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(2–5 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1032

LOCATION

غوطة دمشق, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Eastern Ghouta was bombarded with raids on July 23rd damaging many small residential towns within the district and killing between two and nine civilians, according to sources on the ground. Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News reported that the Assad regime struck the area with jets and warplanes. Shaam News Network, however,

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 9
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 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1680

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple sources reported that airs or artillery strikes targeting the Bab al-Nayrab area of Aleppo killed up to nine civilians, including two children and one woman – and wounded many more. Reports were conflicted whether this was the work of Russia or helicopters dropping barrel bombs belonging to the Assad regime. The death toll varied

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1645 RS2645

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Al Masriya roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between eight and nine civilians died in an airstrike on the al Masriya roundabout in Abu Kamal, according to local media – though sources at the time were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia was responsible. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted:

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1726

LOCATION

حي, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and nine civilians including a child died in alleged Russia or Assad regime air and/or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Salheen neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. AleppoAMC said that nine had died 9 in “air raids and artillery shelling”. LCCSY pointed towards Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
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

February 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS2974

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed up to nine civilians, including at least one child and one woman, and wounded up to ten more in the city of Kafr Nabil, local sources reported. The Syria Civil Defense, who were present on the scene following the incident, reported that the strike killed six and wounded more than ten.

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS540

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Nine civilians including five children were killed in airstrikes on Anadan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible, and there is some question as to exactly when certain victims died. The Shaam News Network reported that three children from one family were killed

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(5 children4 men)
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS829

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Seven non-combatants from the same family died in an airstrike on Banis, according to local sources  – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. LCCSY said that a family of seven died in a strike by Russian warplanes using cluster bombs. Iraq gate also put the death toll

Summary

First published
June 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1485 RS2443

LOCATION

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and nine civilians died including three children and one woman and up to 17 others were wounded in airstrikes on the al Qasr area of Bokros Tahtani, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Step News Agency and

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(3 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
17
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1197

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Nine civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrikes on fuel markets in Maarat al Naasan, according to local media. According to Zaitonmag, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on residential neighborhoods in the town of Maarat Al-Nassan. Four raids, phosphorous bombs and cluster munitions targeted fuel markets in the

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1488

LOCATION

بابولين, Babouleen, Idlib, Syria

Between two and nine civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Babouleen, according to local media. Most sources reported that the warplane struck a civilian car with heavy machine guns. The majority of sources pointed towards the Syrian regime, though Russian actions were also reported, meaning that its involvement

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 9
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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

January 18, 2017

Incident Code

TS054 RS1847a

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Halab News, reported eight of the nine civilians in “Russian enemy raids” in Tadef, Syria. It also named the victims. According to Al Jazeera, “The Russian and Turkish air forces, for the first time, carried out a joint operation against militants of the Islamic State Organization in Bab in countryside of, Aleppo,

Summary

First published
January 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Russian Military
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS026

LOCATION

بابيلا, Babilla, Hama, Syria

A father and his three children were among those reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Babilla, along with four other children, three of whom were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Eyewitness Moustafa Ghareeb told the Syrian Network: “The Russian shelling occurred 7 kilometres away from Marat Al Nu’man, at Babilla

Summary

First published
October 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(4–7 children1 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
3 named
View Incident