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

July 14, 2020

Incident Code

RS4512

LOCATION

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians, a man and a woman, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or artillery shelling in the town of Kansafra in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 14th 2020, according to local sources. All sources reporting on civilian harm from the incident in Kansafra consistently mention that two civilians, a

Summary

First published
July 14, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Artillery, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2021

Incident Code

R4431

LOCATION

كفردريان, Kafr Dariyan, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and five other civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Dariyan on December 31, 2021. According to Syria TV, two people were killed and others were injured in Russian airstrikes on a farm on the outskirts of Kafr Dariyan. At the time of reporting an unknown number

Summary

First published
December 31, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 8, 2022

Incident Code

R4466

LOCATION

حفسرجة, Hafsarja, Idlib, Syria

Between two to seven civilians were killed including one to three children and seven to 16 other civilians were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike destroying a house and a stone sawmill in Hafsarja in Idlib province on September 8th, 2022. Al Khabour news reported the lowest number of civilians killed at two and the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 8, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
7–16
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2023

Incident Code

R4502

LOCATION

لطريق بين معرة مصرين وادلب, road between Maaret Misreen and Idlib, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reportedly injured in a shelling attributed to either Russian forces or the Syrian regime on February 27th 2023 when the road was hit by a shell between Maraat Misrin and Idlib, Syria. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a fire broke out due to the shelling, which they extinguished.

Summary

First published
February 27, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2023

Incident Code

R4533

LOCATION

كفرعمة, Kafar Ammah, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian, a child, was injured as a result of the artillery shelling of the residential villages of Kafar Ammah and Al-Qasr, west of Aleppo, allegedly by Russian and/or Syrian Regime forces on Sunday July 23rd 2023. Local sources @SyriaCivilDefe and @spc_fr only mentioned that a child was injured, with @SyriaCivilDefe reporting that

Summary

First published
July 23, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2023

Incident Code

R4559

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

On the night of September 23, 2023, in Sarmin, Idlib, an incident with contested responsibility—reportedly either by Syrian regime forces or the Russian military—struck an agricultural area, injuring a civilian man, which was confirmed by multiple sources including the White Helmets organization. The civilian injured was reportedly a farmer who was picking figs in a

Summary

First published
September 23, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2023

Incident Code

R4629

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmeen [Sarmin], Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Sunday, November 19th, 2023, two civilians, including at least one child, were injured as a result of an alleged missile strike by the Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military in residential neighborhoods of the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, Syria. One of the children was reportedly injured after falling from a high

Summary

First published
November 19, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of injury / death
Accidents related to conflict, 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2023

Incident Code

R4639

LOCATION

دارة عزة, residential neighborhoods of Darat Azza, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

During the evening of Sunday, December 17, 2023, at least five identified civilians, including a child and a woman pregnant with twins, were killed and five civilians, including two children, were injured in an alleged attack by the Syrian regime and/or the Iranian military and/or the Russian military on the residential neighborhoods of Darat Azza,

Summary

First published
December 17, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2024

Incident Code

R4714

LOCATION

فليون, Falyoun, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Shortly before 3:43 PM on Thursday, November 28th, 2024, missile strikes carrying cluster bombs with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military and/or Iranian-backed militant groups in the town of Falyoun, in the southern Idlib countryside, Syria, injured at least one civilian, a child. Al Moherer in a post via Facebook

Summary

First published
April 3, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Incident Code

TS065 RS1865

LOCATION

جب مخزوم , Jeb Makhzoum, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians from one family were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish or Russian airstrikes or artillery shelling on Jeb Makhzoum near Al Arima. The Syrian Obseratory for Human Rights said it “learned that a man was killed along with his wife and five of their children who are under the age of eighteen. They were

Summary

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 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
Turkish Military, Russian Military
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

RS064

LOCATION

الرهجان, Al Rahjan, Hama, Syria

The VDC lists four unidentified civilian males as having been killed by “Russian air force shelling” at Al Rahjan in Hama. Other sourcing is weak, with the Syrian state news agency Sana attributing the attack to Assad regime aircraft, while Al Watan mentions only ‘aircraft.’  

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

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 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS634

LOCATION

الشيخ علي, Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Ali, according to local sources. Al-Arabiya blamed Russia, reporting an “unspecified number of dead including children“. Shahba Press also put the death toll at three, including a child – and also attributed the incident to Russia. According to a 40-minute programme by

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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