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

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1398

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources air and artillery strikes hit the city Anadan north of Aleppo, killing one or two civilians. According to Nabd Syria, “two people were killed and others wounded in Anadan due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling”. One source, Muslm, attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia, while Jsirtv

Summary

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

October 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1431

LOCATION

صوران, Souran, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in either Russian, Turkish or ISIS artillery shelling on Souran near Aleppo. Baladi wrote that “three civilians were killed due to artillery shelling by ISIS in Souran.” However, according to Syrian Mirror, “three women were killed in Turkish artillery shelling in Souran north of Aleppo.” The Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(0–3 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, ISIS, Turkish Military, ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1463

LOCATION

ترمانين, Termamin, Aleppo, Syria

Between nine and 11 civilians died and up to 25 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Termamin town, according to local sources. The lowest death count was given by @NewsFlashNet at at least nine. RevoSpring said that 10 people died, while Halab News joined most sources in putting the figure

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
Civilians reported injured
12–25
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1495

LOCATION

Tarei, Idlib, Syria

In what looks to have been a Syrian regime action, an elderly man and his son were reported killed by an airstrike in Tarei village, Idlib. LCCSY initially appeared to blame Russia, but in a later post attributed the deaths to the Syrian regime. Most other sources also pointed to the regime. According to the

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–1 children1–2 men)
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1550

LOCATION

الجانودية, Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria

Between one to three civilians were killed and at least three others were injured in airstrikes launched against the town of Al Janoudia in western Jisr Al Shoughour. According to local sources, including Step News Agency and @SMARTNewsAgency, Russian warplanes were responsible for the series of airstrikes on the town. An image of the alleged

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1940

LOCATION

الدانا, al-Dana, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven civilians, including children and women, were killed and “dozens” more were wounded as al-Dana, Idlib, in three airstrikes, carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. Three men from the same family were reportedly among the victims. Multiple sources added that one or two children and several women were

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(1–2 children2 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2018

Incident Code

R3202

LOCATION

الشيخ مصطفى, Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, Syria

Russian forces launched a destructive bombing campaign on the village of Sheik Mustafa, according to local sources, however no civilians were reported killed, though the Shaam News Network said there were a “number of wounded”. The Syrian Civil Defense said more than seven airstrikes fell on the town of Sheikh Mustaf and Naqir. This included

Summary

First published
April 11, 2018
Last updated
April 9, 2025
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2020

Incident Code

RS4497

LOCATION

السحارة, Al Sahara, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was reportedly injured as a result of an alleged Russian bombing or an alleged attack by Syrian army’s launchers on the village of Al Sahharah west of Aleppo, on the afternoon of March 1st, 2020 according to local sources. SDCAleppo stated that one civilian was injured as a result of Russian bombardment that

Summary

First published
March 1, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2020

Incident Code

RS4529

LOCATION

تلتونه, Taltuna, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reportedly killed and five others were injured after an alleged airstrike by a Russian or Syrian or Iranian drone on agricultural lands in the village of Taltuna, west of  Ma’arat Misrin north of Idlib on the morning of October 31st, 2020 according to local sources. According to sources including Orient news and

Summary

First published
October 31, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2022

Incident Code

R4452

LOCATION

شنان, Shanan village, Idlib, Syria

One child was injured as a result of artillery shelling by Russian or Syrian regime action targeting the village of Shanan, south of Idlib on Sunday 24th July 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that they took the injured child to hospital for treatment and that he was injured “lightly”.

Summary

First published
July 25, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2022

Incident Code

R4483

LOCATION

خربة الناطور, Kharebt Al Natour, Idlib, Syria

On November 3rd 2022, two to three civilians, including two young men and a woman, were reportedly olive picking when they were injured by a land to ground missile, loaded with “internationally prohibited cluster bombs” as a result of alleged Syrian regime or Russian action.  The attack happened on forests and farms on the Khirbet

Summary

First published
November 3, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2023

Incident Code

R4523

LOCATION

النيرب, Al Nairab, Idlib, Syria

An elderly civilian was injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling of the town of Al Nairab on June 25, 2023. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that an elderly civilian was slightly injured by Syrian regime and Russian forces shelling of the town of Al Nairab, adding that the White Helmets took him to the

Summary

First published
June 25, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Incident Code

R4567

LOCATION

المدخل الشرقي لإدلب ومحطة الكهرباء, the eastern entrance of Idlib and the power station, Idlib, Syria

On the afternoon of Thursday October 5th 2023, an artillery shelling allegedly perpetrated by Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian military struck Eastern Idlib, including a large electric power station, killing between one and two civilians and injuring three civilians, one of whom was a child. The majority of sources, such as Syria Civil Defence

Summary

First published
October 5, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Power Station
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Incident Code

R4590

LOCATION

طراف مدينة إدلب, Idlib, Syria

On the evening of Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at least one civilian man was wounded on the outskirts of Idlib, Syria, in the bombardment allegedly perpetrated by the Russian military and/or Syrian regime forces.  However, some sources reported that a number of civilians were injured. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets,

Summary

First published
October 7, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2024

Incident Code

R4670

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha (Jericho), south of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

During the day on April 26, 2024, heavy artillery and missile shelling allegedly carried out by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian forces and/or Iranian forces injured between two and 10 civilians, including at least two children. The incident occurred in a residential area within the city of Jericho, south of Idlib. A Facebook post by

Summary

First published
April 26, 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
2–10
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2024

Incident Code

R4678

LOCATION

طريق الأبزمو - الأتارب, Al Atareb - Abzimo road, western countryside of Aleppo, Syria, Aleppo, Syria

On the evening of Sunday, 11th August 2024, a civilian was reportedly injured by a bombardment allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime’s forces and/or Iranian military and/or Russian military on the Atarib-Abzmo road in the western countryside of the Aleppo governorate in Syria. A Twitter/X post by the Syrian Civil Defence included photos of the

Summary

First published
March 4, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2015

Incident Code

RS016

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Russian aircraft returned to the attack at Jisr al Shughour, with the Kremlin carrying out strikes which it said targeted ‘uninhabited‘ militant storage depots, an all-terrain vehicle workshop, and a base. There were some reports that Syrian aircraft also participated in the attacks. According to the Syrian Network at least one of the strikes hit

Summary

First published
October 4, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS048

LOCATION

الحاضر, Al Hader Hospital, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes hit the Al Hader hospital in southern Aleppo governorate on two consecutive days, “which led to the fall of victims, including members of the medical staff,” according to Eldorar. The Violations Documentation Center later named 20-day old baby as a victim of the strike.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS081

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Eight named civilians were killed and a number injured in a reported Russian night-time airstrike at Hraytan, near Aleppo. The White Helmets – whose teams worked through the night to retrieve the dead and injured, reported: “Civil Defence team pulls out seven martyrs and several injured following Russian bombardement with vacuum missiles.“ Hraytan City, an

Summary

First published
October 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 child7 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
Unknown
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS114

LOCATION

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

Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr. Several houses were also reportedly destroyed. VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike. Additionally, the Violations Documentation

Summary

First published
November 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3–4 children1 woman6 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS149

LOCATION

باريشا, Barisha, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Barisa and the Abo Al Dohor area and reported losses, but did not provide any details. No further information is available at the present time.

Summary

First published
November 14, 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
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS182

LOCATION

حي الحلوانية, Al-Bab Road (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to two non-combatants including two women and two female children were reported killed, and four civilians injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes with vacuum missiles on the Bab Road neighbourhood, according to The White Helmets and the Syrian Observatory. Reporting was confused, with the death toll ranging from one to seven. Mada also claimed the

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2–4 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
4
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

RS214

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Bab al Neirab neighbourhood of Aleppo. Tweeting on the same day, the Syrian Documentation Centre reported that “An air raid by Russian warplanes on several locations in Al Neirab neighbourhood has led to human losses

Summary

First published
November 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS247

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named one unidentified adult male as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. In addition, the Syrian Human Rights Campaign reported that a boy named as Yazan Jamil el Sha’eel “died of wounds sustained from Russian airstrikes on civilians’ homes.” According to another source there were heavy Russian air raids on

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS279

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

26 to 30 civilians including five women were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Maskaneh, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian aircraft committed an “appalling massacre” when warplanes targeted Maskaneh’s popular market

Summary

First published
December 15, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26 – 30
(5 women21 men)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
26 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS312

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Eight civilians including three children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Violations Documentation Center. The White Helmets published a number of videos showing them attending the scene, fighting a fire and rescuing an injured person from under the rubble. One unidentified victim was also accounted for: Unidentified – adult,

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3 children4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS344

LOCATION

بزاعة, Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Eight or nine non-combatants including 3 women and 4 children were killed and seven others injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a western neighbourhood in the town of Baza’a. Citing an anonymous source, Syria News Desk noted: “Russian warplanes carried out three raids on the centre and outskirts of the city, killing

Summary

First published
January 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(4 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
7–10
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

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS376

LOCATION

طلف, Talaf, Hama, Syria

Up to ten non-combatants were reported killed and a number wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Talaf in the Hama countryside, according to local sources. Fatality claims ranged widely, from one to ten civilians killed. The local Hama Media Centre later issued a video report in which it interviewed local activist Abu Rayan: “Rayan: The

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 10
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS408

LOCATION

تل مكسور, Tall Maksour, Aleppo, Syria

Alaan TV said that five civilians died and seven others were injured – some critically – in an alleged Russian strike. Halab TV put the death toll higher – at 15 – but did not say whose warplanes were responsible for the incident. According to LCCSY, 15 civilians died in strikes on Tal Maksour and

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 15
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS441

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. The Syrian Press Centre reported that three civilians died in four Russian raids on residential neighbourhoods, leaving dozens more wounded, including women and children. A later report put the death toll at five,

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
19–24
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
1 named
View Incident