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

May 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS797

LOCATION

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that two civilians were killed and up to seven people were wounded following alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the village of Babis in the countryside of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia, some said the Syrian regime was responsible, and again others did not identify who carried out the raids.

Summary

First published
May 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS830

LOCATION

كفرجالس‬, Kafr Jaless farmlands, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from one family died and several others were injured when farmlands at Kafr Jaless were hit with airstrikes, said reports by local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on houses

Summary

First published
June 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS862

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Five children died in airstrikes on Asl Sukhnah, according to two local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” struck civilians homes killing five individuals, most of them children in dawn raids. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes killed five children, three of whom were siblings.

Summary

First published
June 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(5 children)
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

June 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS894

LOCATION

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One girl died and one other unidentified civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local media. SRG_syria, @freesyria28 reported the death of a child in what they said was a Russian raid. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among other sources who didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the strike. The

Summary

First published
June 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS927

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Two to four civilians died including, two children following alleged Russian raids on Hraitan, Aleppo governorate, according to local sources. The source, Orient, reported strikes caused significant material damage and “huge fires” in the town, resulting in several others wounded. @ALAMAWI’s report differed from most, it alleged one man dead, and one woman and a child

Summary

First published
June 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children0–1 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS960

LOCATION

حريتان, Baghdad street, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that alleged Russian airstrikes in Baghdad street in Hraitan outside of Aleppo killed three civilian men and wounded several more. According to Halab Today TV, “three civilians were martyred following the targeting of Baghdad street in the town of Hraitan in Aleppo”.  Radio al-kul added that the strikes left several wounded. LCCSY,

Summary

First published
June 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS992

LOCATION

زارع, Zara, Hama, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians died in an airstrike on a power station in Zara, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Ara News reported that “Russian warplane shelling with missiles and cluster bombs in Al-Zara and Harbnafsa killed a number of

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1024

LOCATION

الطيبة‎, Al Tiba (Al Taibah), Homs, Syria

Local media reported that five civilians died – a woman and her four children – in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Tiba village, Homs. Although there were only two sources reporting this incident on July 21st 2016, they are both credible. LCCSY reported “‪#‎Homs‬ a woman and her four children were martyred

Summary

First published
July 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 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
View Incident

Incident date

July 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1056

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that one child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Adadan, July 26th 2016. Thiqa News Agency released footage showing the use of cluster bombs in the raid. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. According to Anadan Media “Civil defense forces try to rescue the wounded due to Russian

Summary

First published
July 26, 2016
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

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1262 RS2366

LOCATION

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1489 RS2448

LOCATION

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita. Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1679 IRS001

LOCATION

القريا, Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed by a drone strike in al Qouriya, local media said, though neither source has said who was responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “two men were killed and another was wounded after being targeted by a drone in the al-Quriyah area”. Sharqiya Voice provided some more detail,

Summary

First published
November 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1103

LOCATION

Ein Tarma, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Ein Tarma, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. SCDrifdimashq also listed this man and said that a second ‘unknown martyr’ died. According to Smart, “a child was injured by regime artillery”.

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1135

LOCATION

شاميكو, Shamico, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and ten civilians died and more were wounded in airstrikes on Shamico, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were responsible. According to Syria News Desk, “nine civilians were killed and others wounded at dawn today [Aug 13th], a result of Russian warplanes carrying out six raids

Summary

First published
August 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 10
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

August 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1167

LOCATION

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and nine non-combatants died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on a bus or cars carrying civilians on the road between Khan Tuman town and the Al Ramoseh neighbourhood of Aleppo city, local media reported. All but one source attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said

Summary

First published
August 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 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

August 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1200

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Masreen, Idlib, Syria

Between four and 10 civilians died and up to 35 more were wounded in airstrikes on a popular vegetable market in Maaret Masreen, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, most sources agreed that cluster bombs had been used in

Summary

First published
August 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
Civilians reported injured
20–35
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
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1232

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and up to three others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan in Idlib, according to local media. Halab Today reported: “A civilian was killed and others wounded in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man due to warplanes shelling with cluster bombs” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported the use

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1264

LOCATION

البزاعة, Bazaa, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians including two children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Bazaa village, according to local media. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though there was also one allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY, Syrian Network for Human Rights and Syrian Press Center

Summary

First published
September 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
18–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1297

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed in the al Maysar neighbourhood of Aleppo following heavy air strikes with cluster bombs, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or regime helicopters were to blame. @ShahbaPress, @Step_Agency, SNN, and @ALAMAWI all tweeted that one civilian was “martyred” in the

Summary

First published
September 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
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

September 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1329

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between seven and 25 civilians were reportedly killed and up to 75 more injured in airstrikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human

Summary

First published
September 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 25
Civilians reported injured
75
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 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1361

LOCATION

Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and four people were killed in airstrikes on Qadi Askar in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. AMC reported that two children were killed, while The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “at least one child” had died, while AleppoAMC put the number at four. Most sources didn’t name the belligerent, though

Summary

First published
September 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–4 children)
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

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1394

LOCATION

شيخ سعيد, al Sheikh Said, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strikes in Sheik Said, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians. “So_ria98” attributed the strike to Russia, while the media Zaman al-Wasl pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1427

LOCATION

الزربة, al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Six named civilians from the same family, including two children, died in an airstrike on the town al-Zirba in Aleppo, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center “regime warplanes shelled Zirba after midnight, killing four civilians

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1459

LOCATION

Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Three women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike Talbissa, according to sources on the ground. Homs Media Centre added that 16 civilians were wounded in the incident. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 women)
Civilians reported injured
16
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1491

LOCATION

al Sheikh Mustapha, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Sheikh Mustapha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights on October 22nd, “the number of civilians who were killed by Russian airstrikes in the

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1598

LOCATION

كفر جالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria

Up to eleven civilians died, including women and children, and more than ten were injured in Kafr Jalis following alleged Russian or regime shelling, according to various local sources. Most sources suspected six civilians killed, however, Syrian News Desk reported seven killed including more than ten injuries. Sky News put the toll at much high,

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 11
(3 children2 women)
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

RS1836

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Between seven and 11 civilians including two children and a woman were killed, and as many as 25 more were wounded, in an airstrike which targeted a market in Ma’arat Misrin early morning on Saturday 14th January, according to sources on the ground. Two children and a woman were also included in the death toll according

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 11
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–25
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
Named victims
7 named
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2970

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

In this incident, described as a “massacre”, alleged Russian cluster bombs killed between seven and ten civilians, including up to five children and one woman, and up to dozens of others, as the village of Khan al-Subul, Idlib, was struck by airstrikes on February 3, 2018, local media reported. Step News Agency reported how “the

Summary

First published
February 3, 2018
Last updated
April 17, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
(3–5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 19, 2019

Incident Code

RS4273

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

At least two children, two women and one man were reportedly killed, and up to 30 other civilians injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces artillery or airstrikes on Ma’aret al-Nu’man in Idlib in the evening of December 19th, 2019, according to local sources. Two other civilians reportedly died from their injuries caused by

Summary

First published
December 19, 2019
Last updated
April 8, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2–3 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
26–30
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
31 named, 8 families identified
Geolocation
City
View Incident