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

April 25, 2023

Incident Code

R4512

LOCATION

معربليت, Ma’arablit, Idlib, Syria

A young woman was killed and four other civilians, including two children and a woman, were injured by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery shelling of Ma’arablit on April 25, 2023. Afrin Post reported that Noura Abdul Hamid Al-Ahmad, twenty years old, was killed by artillery strikes in Ma’arablit, and her family members, the infant Lyan

Summary

First published
April 25, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2023

Incident Code

R4630

LOCATION

قوقفين, village of Qoqfin in Jabal al-Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

During the morning of Saturday, November 25, 2023, an artillery shelling allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian forces on the village of Qoqfin in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of the town of Idlib, killed at least 10 and up to 11 civilians who were working in the olive fields harvesting olive crop, including at

Summary

First published
November 25, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
(7 children1 woman2 men)
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.
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
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2023

Incident Code

R4586

LOCATION

أريحا, city of Ariha, south of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On the evening of Friday, October 6th, 2023, residential neighborhoods of the city of Ariha located south of Idlib, Syria, were subject to an artillery bombardment with contested responsibility— reportedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military— that injured two civilian men, one of whom later died of his wounds. One of

Summary

First published
October 6, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2024

Incident Code

R4666

LOCATION

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Injuries amongst civilians, including a minor injury of a woman, were reported as a result of an alleged artillery bombardment with the contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military and/or Iranian military and/or Turkish military in the city of Zardana in the northern Idlib countryside, Syria, at dawn of Tuesday,

Summary

First published
March 19, 2024
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
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, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2023

Incident Code

R4632

LOCATION

كتيان, Kitian, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Tuesday, November 28th, 2023, four members of the same family: a father, a mother and their two children, were injured as a result of an alleged artillery strike with guided missiles by the Syrian regime and/or the Russian military and/or the Iranian military on the Katyan-Zardana road, north of Idlib, Syria. Conflicting information was

Summary

First published
December 13, 2024
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 6
Civilians reported injured
4
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS013

LOCATION

إحسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

Russian aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Ihsem in Idlib, killing five members of one family – four of whom were young girls. The victims were later named. The White Helmets civil defence force tried to reach the dead and injured, but were subjected to a ‘double tap’ strike which killed one of their rescuers

Summary

First published
October 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 11
(4 children1 woman2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS045

LOCATION

الفرحانية, Al Farhaniah, Homs, Syria

Three civilians were reported by al Jazeera as having been killed in a Russian strike on Al Farhaniah – part of a major wave of attacks that day. However footage of civilians transported to a local hospital described injuries from ‘artillery,’ with Homs News also reporting that regime shelling had targeted the town.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS078

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

According to the White Helmets in Aleppo, “Russian warplanes bomb the towns of Al Bab and Tadef yesterday evening with several raids using vacuum missiles – leaving several dead and dozens wounded and homes destroyed.” Other reports described two raids on Tadef and one on Al Bab. Radio Al Kul attributed the attacks to the

Summary

First published
October 25, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Incident Code

RS123

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

One nine-year-old girl was killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that regime warplanes were responsible, but the VDC – who named the girl as Shatha Dawood – said

Summary

First published
November 5, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS157

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

A 27-year old civilian male named reported killed in Hraytan following a Russian or Assad regime airstrike. Seven civilians were additionally said to have been injured. While Halab News and Hraytan’s residents blamed the attack on Russia, the VDC said Mr Qinti died as a result of a regime airstrike (“air forces shelling.”)  

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS190

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Eight non-combatants including a child were reported killed in alleged Russian warplanes targeted trucks in the town of Azaz. Russian planes launched several rockets on a civilian area, hitting freight trucks 2km from Bab Al Salameh on the Syrian-Turkish border. The Syrian Network said the vehicles specialised in transporting foodstuff to and from the crossing,

Summary

First published
November 25, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child7 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
Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS222

LOCATION

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians including one child were reported killed – and five others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Najieh. The Shaam News Network posted images on Facebook showing the remains of what it stated were missiles dropped by Russian warplanes, while Jisr TV described the weapons as “cluster rockets originating

Summary

First published
December 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child4 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS255

LOCATION

بزاعة, Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one woman and her two children were killed in an airstrike on Baza’a – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Violations Documentation Centre listed three unidentified non-combatants as killed in Russian shelling. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, blamed the regime.  

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS288

LOCATION

حي المرجة, Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria

Dozens were reported killed and injured in a friendly fire incident when Russian warplanes allegedly targeted Al Murja, killing dozens of regime fighters by mistake, according to the Shaam News Network. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
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

January 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS352

LOCATION

حزرما, Hazarma, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on Hazarma, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attacks were the work of the Russians or the Assad regime. The White Helmets reported on two raids by “warplanes before sunset” which targeted a civilian home, leading to the death of three non-combatants

Summary

First published
January 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS384

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike by Russian warplanes on Maskanah, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 men)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS416

LOCATION

وادي العرايس, Wadi Al A’rayess, Homs, Syria

The Shaam News Network published two videos depicting destruction in the Al Kalassi neighbourhood of Aleppo. The first showed a woman after she became homeless when “the aggressors destroyed her home“; the second depicted wounded civilians “following the strike on the area of Wadi Al A’rayess.” There are currently no further details  on the alleged strike or who was responsible for it.

Summary

First published
January 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS450

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians including one child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buliyal, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No reports on strikes on Al Buliyal have yet been found.  

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS482

LOCATION

كفر لاها, Al Houla, Homs, Syria

Six civilians including one woman and two children (a boy and a girl) were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Laha, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory initially reported that five non-combatants died when “warplanes believed to be Russian which targeted places in Kafr Laha village at al-Houla.” They then reported that

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
41–40
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
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS515

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

One child was killed and 16 other civilians injured in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes carried out raids on “the towns of Tal Rafa’at, Mare’, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hayyan, Ratyan, Bayanoun, Al Mallah, Ma’arasta al Khan, Ihress, Deir al Zeitoun, Bashoui and Asiya.” They

Summary

First published
February 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
16
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS551

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Four civilians included one child died in raids on Talbiseh, according to local sources. While the majority alleged that Russia was responsible, one source – Smart – says the deaths occurred as the result of shelling by Assad regime artillery. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes have been carrying out

Summary

First published
February 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child3 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS583

LOCATION

جبل الزاوية (ابلين), Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Between five and nine civilians including one child died and at least 15 more were injured in an airstrike on Jabal al Zawiya, according to local sources. While most alleged this was the work of Russia, one said the regime was responsible. Al Souria said that Russia was responsible, putting the death toll at six

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(1 child1 woman0–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS616

LOCATION

كلجبرين‎, Kaljabreen, Aleppo, Syria

Between six and ten civilians including three to four children and one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kaljabreen, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes targeted a school for sheltering displaced people in Kaljabreen, “causing a horrific massacre“. According to an initial report by the Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(3–4 children1 woman)
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

February 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS648

LOCATION

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria

One 15-year-old girl, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Abu Dhuhur, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However, according to Smart News Agency, the regime carried out a raid on the town.  

Summary

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

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS680

LOCATION

زاكية, Zakiya, Damascus, Syria

A single source, Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, reported the death of Hatem Abu Mohammad due to “indiscriminate Russian warplane shelling“. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS712

LOCATION

فيخة, Fikha village, Aleppo, Syria

Three non-combatants including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fikha, according to local sources. Syriashuhada said three unidentified civilians died in a Russian strike. HNN also put the death toll at three, attributing the incident to Russia. According to Alamwai a child was among the three fatalities, though didn’t say who carried

Summary

First published
March 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS744

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named two civilians, Zahra Fihan, and her son Mohammad Abdullah al-Rashed, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa. The victims were also named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, which blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
March 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS776

LOCATION

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

In a summary of Russian raids carried out on April 28th, LCCSY said three civilians had died in two strikes on Sakhour. RFS News also blamed Russia, reporting “a martyr and a number of wounded in Russian shelling by missiles on Al-Sakhur”. However, several other sources blamed the regime instead. According to the Syrian Network,

Summary

First published
April 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS809

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 13 civilians including four children were reported killed  – and 20-24 others were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al-Thar’ra bakery in Hraytan, according to local sources. Among the victims were personnel and customers of the bakery, including four children. The strike also hit several cars that were parked nearby,

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(1 child)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named
View Incident