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 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS343

LOCATION

ابطع, Abtaa, Daraa, Syria

Five to six civilians including two children were killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Abtaa, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – though reports are unclear whether the deaths were the result of raids by Russian warplanes or shelling by regime forces. The Syrian

Summary

First published
January 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS375

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians were killed – including two children, an elderly man and a first aider – and several wounded in an airstrike on Douma, according to the White Helmets – though they did not say who was responsible for the attack the report stated that residential areas were targeted with cluster bombs. Shaam News reported that

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS823

LOCATION

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Activists told the Shaam News Network that “Sukhoi 24 warplanes” carried out strikes on Kafr Takharim, killing two children and wounding other civilians. In a later news roundup it said that the aircraft were “believed to be Russian”. A number of other news reports, including from Qasioun News, also blamed Russia. But the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
May 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(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
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Incident Code

RS3227

LOCATION

مدينة ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian died and up to six more were wounded in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Idlib, according to sources on the ground. Enab Baladi reported “four victims, including wounded, as an initial toll”. According to the White Helmets, their teams “evacuated six civilian casualties after the city of Idlib

Summary

First published
March 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–6
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1159

LOCATION

Arbeen, Aleppo, Syria

At least two children died and up to dozens more civilians were wounded in airstrike on Arbeen – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to Halab Today TV, a 12 year old boy was killed and four others were injured in the Russian raids. The

Summary

First published
August 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(2–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

September 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1353

LOCATION

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and six people were reportedly killed in Russian airstrikes on the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo. Rfsmediaoffice reported: “Our correspondent in Aleppo said that the warplanes bombed the neighborhood of Karam Homad with several rockets, causing the death of three people and a number of wounded, noting that they are trapped under the

Summary

First published
September 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 children)
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2545

LOCATION

قرية مراط , Mrat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least five civilians, including one woman, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Mrat, according to local sources. An unspecified number of other civilians were reported wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “six citizens including two brothers and a man and his wife died as a result of

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 woman2 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
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3723

LOCATION

حزارين, Hezarin, Idlib, Syria

Two to seven civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Hezarin, Idlib, May 27th. Shahba News initially claimed that three were killed in the strikes from the same family, including one child, later reporting six deaths and “dozens wounded”. Edlib Media Center initially reported two killed, yet also stated that the figure rose to six

Summary

First published
May 27, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1–3 children2 women)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
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

September 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1495

LOCATION

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two to six civilians died in airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and not the camp. Marsad Al Hasaka named victims. The source added

Summary

First published
September 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1170

LOCATION

كفر جوم, Kafr Gom, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including a woman and her children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Gom, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Many sources noted the use of cluster bombs

Summary

First published
August 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(3–4 children1–2 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1441

LOCATION

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

Six civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Kalassa neighbourhood, local media reported. According to LCCSY, there were “six martyrs and some wounded, most of them still stuck under the rubble, after Russian warplanes carried out bunker buster missile attacks on Kalasah neighborhood.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “suspected

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1473

LOCATION

Al Zar'aroura, Aleppo, Syria

Five or six civilians including children and women died in a strike on the Al Za’aroura area near Kafr Naha in the western Aleppo countryside, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed the incident to Russia, though one pointed towards the regime. Several other reports didn’t identify the culprit. LCCSY put

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1–2 children2 women)
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2425

LOCATION

الخريطة , Al-Kharita, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four to six civilians were killed and several others were injured in an ‘aerial bombardment’ on the town of al-Kharita in Deir Ezzor Governorate on September 11th 2017. Sources claimed warplanes belonging either to Russian forces or the Syrian regime conducted these air raids on a camp for internally displaced people that was set up

Summary

First published
September 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(0–3 children0–3 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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3726

LOCATION

احسم, Ihsem, Idlib, Syria

At least three children of the same family were killed and several civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The death toll was later updated to six civilians. Many sources reported that three children were killed from the same family in the

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS589

LOCATION

تلمنس, Talmanas, Idlib, Syria

Six civilians including two children and three women died in airstrikes on Talmanas, according to local sources – though they are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, and there is also some confusion on the date of the incident. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children3 women2 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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS878

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians including two women and two children died and dozens more were injured in raids on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four civilians including two women died

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

July 16, 2019

Incident Code

RS3910

LOCATION

حنتوتبين, Hantoutin, Idlib, Syria

@Step_Agency claimed that Russian forces carried out airstrikes on Jisr al-Shughour, Ma’rshurin, Hantoutin, Deir Sennbel, Heesh, Sahiyan and Tabish in rural Idlib, killing six civilians and injuring dozens across these locations. Other sources claimed the Syrian regime warplanes struck these areas with 60 raids without indicating number of casualties. No other details are known at

Summary

First published
July 16, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
Civilians reported injured
1–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3241

LOCATION

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Damascus, Syria

Between three to six civilians including up to four children were reportedly killed and as many as 25 more wounded in airstrikes on a kindergarten in Taftanaz, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Idlib Plus put the death toll at three civilians, including a

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–4 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–25
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

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1279

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five to six civilians including several children were killed in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen, outside Deir Al-Zour, local sources reported. All but one source blamed Russia for the event. Step News said “four civilians were killed and others injured in a similar raid targeting al Jaish street and Al Haram street near al Saraya in

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1–3 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
11–15
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS215

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reported that six civilians, including one female and five children, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on As Sukhna. Activist Alamawi Omer published what he said was an account of the attack: “This morning at eight thirty in the morning the brutal Russian Air Force threw a barrage of rockets.

Summary

First published
November 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 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
Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS889

LOCATION

الحيدرية, Haydariya (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and six civilians died in either an airstrike on artillery bombardment on Haydariya, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible. Reporting on the deaths of civilians in Aleppo from “Russian aircraft and Assad’s helicopters“, the Shaam News Network said that “shelling

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3075

LOCATION

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Up to six civilians, including up to four children and one woman, were killed and dozens were left wounded as Ain Tarma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by Syrian Regime and/or Russian-waged warplanes, local media reported. As the intense shelling of several parts of eastern Ghouta continued, Ain Tarma was also struck, resulting in great

Summary

First published
July 19, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2–4 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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2019

Incident Code

RS3956

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Up to nine civilians were reported killed and other injured, some seriously, by alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Tahtaya in Idlib on July 25th, 2019. According to @syrian191124, vacuum missiles were used in the attack. Khaled Mahmoud Al-Hudayri, an adult male, was named as one of the victims by

Summary

First published
July 25, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 9
(1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1096

LOCATION

معرة الأتارب, Maarat al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Between four and six civilians including two children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrike on the two camps for displaced person near the town of Maarat al Atareb. Halab News Network reported there were no less than eight raids, with the use of cluster

Summary

First published
August 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1128

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed and at least an additional six civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on August 12th, which reportedly struck a vegetable market in Kafr Naha town in the Western part of Aleppo governorate. Despite the numbers of civilian casualties reported, only one adult male was named by the

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1192

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

At least five civilians – from the same family, according to some reports – died and up to eight more were wounded in airstrikes on Orme Al-Kubra, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY,

Summary

First published
August 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1225

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A family of six died in an air or artillery strike on Aleppo’s al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. ZamanAlwasel, Kalimahora and LCCSY blamed Russia, with LCCSY pointing to a vacuum missile attack on a residential

Summary

First published
September 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2083

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles.  One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3005

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

As many as six civilians, including one child, were killed and up to dozens were wounded as alleged Russian and/or Assad warplanes launched a series of air raids in Hamouriya in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strike, described by Local Coordination Committees of Syria, as “heavy night raids” hit a popular market and

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1 child)
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
Named victims
6 named
View Incident