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

January 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS1833

LOCATION

جبل الاربعين, Jabal Al-Arba'een, Idlib, Syria

A leader of the Islamic Party of Turkmenistan (jihadist group) was killed following an alleged Russian raid on a residential building he was occupying. Four of his children and three women were also reportedly killed in the raid. Additionally, in what became a double raid, 20 members of the civil defence were injured in a second raid whilst

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(4 children3 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

January 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2853

LOCATION

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians were killed – including an entire family of five – according to local media in airstrikes on Tal Al-Toukan. Dozens were also wounded in the raids. Sources blamed bot the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids which damaged a Mosque as well as residential homes. Mustafa Haj Yousuf, director of the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child3 women1 man)
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
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS320

LOCATION

الصناعية الشيخ نجار, Sheikh Najjar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians including an 85-year old man were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Najjar. SDU Syria said that “Russian warplanes have launched air strikes targeting residential neighborhoods in Sheikh Najjar City, which resulted in the deaths of five martyrs and dozens wounded.” The Syrian Observatory put the death toll

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS3396

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

A family was among seven civilians killed as Russian and regime forces reportedly struck the city of Douma. Civil Defense teams said warplanes and helicopters bombed the city with more than 100 raids and an explosive barrel, in addition to rocket and artillery shelling. Sources also reported the use of cluster munitions.

Summary

First published
April 7, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1460

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Six or seven civilians died 20 more were wounded, including women and children, in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Mayysar neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Halab News listed six unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike. But Shahba Press put the death toll at seven. Alaraby reported

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
Civilians reported injured
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

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1492

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians including up to five children – reportedly mostly from the same family – died and up to dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Among sources attributing the event to

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4–5 children2–3 women)
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

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1691

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four and seven civilians were killed and up to seven others were wounded, including women and children, in alleged Russian airstrikes against Hatla village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that at the time of reporting, many civilians were in critical condition and the death toll

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5–7
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

Incident date

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

TS069 RS1872

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and seven civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Turkish airstrikes on Al Bab. Hara FM accused Russia of the attack: “Four people dead and three wounded from one family from Russian bombing of the village Qasr al-Bureij southeast of the city of Al Bab.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
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

November 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS126

LOCATION

سقبا وحموريه, Between Saqba and Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Seven civilians were killed including four children – and dozens of people injured – following an alleged Russian or Assad regime air raid on neighbourhoods in an area linking the towns of Saqba and Hamouriya. The White Helmets and Radio Al Kul blamed Russia, while VDC and the Syrian Free Army said the attack was

Summary

First published
November 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 17, 2019

Incident Code

RS3699

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians, including four women and a child, were killed and dozens were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the city of Ma’arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on May 17th, 2019, according to local sources. Euphrates Post reported that a number of civilians were injured in an airstrike by

Summary

First published
May 17, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 child4 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
14–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS3173

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Between three and seven civilians were killed, and an unspecified number of others were wounded, in airstrikes on Zamalka, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The raids reportedly stuck a residential neighbourhood. The highest death count was give as seven by @ManFreeman7. Syria Noor: “The death toll

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(2 men)
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1005

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians died in either an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Al Salheen, local media reported. Smart News Agency  Shahba Press and AMC news all blamed Russia. Al Jazeera pointed to bot Russia and the Assad regime carrying out strikes in three neighbourhoods including Al Salheen, Fardous and Hanano. Alamawi, however,

Summary

First published
July 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1635

LOCATION

حي الانصاري, Al-Ansari, Aleppo, Syria

Airstrikes targeting Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood reportedly killed between five and seven civilians and wounded up to dozens, reported local media – though sources disagreed as to whether the strikes were carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. None of the victims were identified by name, but most sources reported that the death toll

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
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

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS1873

LOCATION

الأول ريف المهندسينكفرجوم, Kafr Joum, Al Muhandissin Al wwal countryside, Aleppo, Syria

A mother and her six children were killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike “massacre” in the countryside of western Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The noon raid struck three houses in the region controlled by opposition forces. It is currently home to displaced residents from the southern area of the

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(6 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1909

LOCATION

نصيب , Nasib, Daraa, Syria

Up to seven civilians – of whom four were named – died and as many as eight others were wounded in an air or artillery strike on Nasib, according to local media. While most sources blamed Russia, there were also several allegations against the Assad regime. According to Ara, “Russian warplanes targeted the vicinity of

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children1–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1993

LOCATION

جسر الشغور , Jisir Al Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Between two and seven civilians including two women died in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on the residential neighbourhoods of Jisr Al-Shoghour, according to local sources. A further eight civilians , including four women, were allegedly injured. Baladi, Alaraby and Sdusyria put the death toll at three civilians. IkhwanSyria put the death toll still higher, at seven civilians

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2018

Incident Code

RS2834

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported a “massacre” whereby as many and seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in Khan Al-Subul. Most sources blamed Russia, however some blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources reported sighting warplanes but did not identify them. The warplanes struck residential homes, according to local media, with seven consecutive raids,

Summary

First published
January 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(4–5 children1–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS822

LOCATION

الكوم, Al Kom, Homs, Syria

According to multiple local sources, Russian or regime airstrikes took place in Al Kom near the ancient city of Palmyra – killing at least five non-combatants. . The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at seven non-combatants, including two women and two children. Al Jisr also blamed the regime.

Summary

First published
May 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 children2 women)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS3190

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Between five and six civilians were killed and several others were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Russian and Syrian regime raids. Alaraby News reported that “The Syrian Civil Defence in the countryside of Damascus [reported that a] woman was killed and

Summary

First published
March 7, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 woman6 men)
Civilians reported injured
21
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1912

LOCATION

حي تشرينشارع الحافظ , al Hafez street, Tishreen neighbourhood, eastern Damascus, Damascus, Syria

In what was largely reported as a regime attack, seven civilians including up to two children and two women died in an airstrike on al Hafez street, in Damascus’ Tishreen neighbourhood. On February 20th, the Step News Agency reported: “Assad’s regime continued its military campaign on the eastern neighborhoods in the capital Damascus for the

Summary

First published
February 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1–2 children1–2 women)
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

June 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2266

LOCATION

طيبة, Tayba, Homs, Syria

Local sources reported the ‘Bazaar’ market of Tayba in rural Homs to be struck by an airstrike, likely to be Russian. The airstrike reportedly killed seven civilians and wounded “dozens” more. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
June 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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

October 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1396

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in al Sakhour, Aleppo, according to local media. Most sources claimed that six or seven civilians were killed, among these hospital staff and civil defense workers. Syria News Desk provided details from the incident, reporting that “seven

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS877

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians including  two children died in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or regime forces. LCCSY reported that Russian strikes had killed four civilians, with one “infant body” being dug out from the rubble – though a second

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1070

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and seven civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Kafr Naha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources “Qasioun, Sadaaltwhed, Halab News, Alamawi, Jisr tv, Syrian Press Center) pointed towards Russia, with death counts varying between

Summary

First published
July 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2166

LOCATION

بسنقول, Bsanqoul, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians were killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Bsanqoul, according to local media sources. Both Halab Today and AMC Aleppo reported that seven civilians had been killed, but neither positively identified a belligerent. All other known sources attributed responsibility to Russia, but did not provide a death toll – they

Summary

First published
April 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
4–12
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 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2362

LOCATION

الجاير , Al-Jaber/Al-Jayer/Albu Jabir , Raqqa, Syria

Six or seven civilians (six of whom were named by local media) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Jaber, according to sources on the ground. Different reports named the location of the event as either Al-Jaber, Al-Jayer or Albu Jabir, however, it’s Airwars’ understanding that these names all signify the same place, and that the name

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(1 woman4 men)
Civilians reported injured
6
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
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2737

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

As many as seven civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime artillery shelling for the strikes. One source reported that “missile targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Harasta”. Another added that “missiles carrying cluster

Summary

First published
November 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(1–5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–25
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1478 RS2436

LOCATION

مظلوم, Mazloum village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to seven civilians including two women and a girl died in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in Mazloum village, eastern Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Though local sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame, the village did appear to have been

Summary

First published
September 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child3 women1 man)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2741

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that seven civilians, including two children, were killed in an airstrike undertaken by an “unknown” belligerent in Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, on November 18th. Smart News reported that “seven civilians, including two children, were killed and 20 others were wounded in an “unknown” aerial bombardment of a camp for displaced people in

Summary

First published
November 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1647

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that up to seven civilians, including up to two children, were killed and several were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes targeting a battery factory in Idlib. Several sources reported how warplanes struck a battery factory in Idlib, causing its complete destruction. Between one and seven civilians were reportedly killed, two of them identified

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1–2 children2 men)
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