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

November 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2676 CS1665B

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al-Baghoz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians were killed, and some others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al-Baghoz. Local media blamed both the Iraqi Army and Russia – but it is unclear who was to blame. An entire family of six were allegedly killed in the raid. Smart Mews reported that “aircraft likely to be Russian launched

Summary

First published
November 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–3 children1 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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS148

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and The Syrian Network for Human Rights, five or six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Hamra. SN4HR reported that Russian warplanes shelled the neighbourhood of Jamye’at Al Sabbath. Additionally, they stated that a tailoring factory belonging to the Syrian Organization of Human Care and

Summary

First published
November 14, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(6 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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS3511

LOCATION

صيدا , Sayda, Daraa, Syria

Six civilians, including four children, of the same family, were reportedly killed in suspected Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sayda, Dara’a governorate, on July 5th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News reported that “more than 25 Russian airstrikes targeted the town on Thursday morning [July 5th]”, killing the family who was “displaced from

Summary

First published
July 5, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children2 women)
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS310

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Al Souria placed the fatalities higher, noting: “The initial death toll following the targeting of the outskirts to the city of Tel  Refaat  with rockets by Russian warplanes is six martyrs, with additional injuries among civilians,

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2–3 children)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3824

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

Three to six civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 20th. Step News stated that “six civilians – including a child and a woman – were killed, and seven others injured after an airstrike on the town of Heesh, south of Idlib.” Meanwhile, Shaam News, also reporting six civilians slain, alleged

Summary

First published
June 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–3 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–7
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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS609

LOCATION

الحراك, Herak, Daraa, Syria

Six civilians including two children and one woman were killed and several others injured in airstrikes on Herak – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that five non-combatants – mostly children – died when Russian warplanes launched missiles on

Summary

First published
February 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 woman3 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

July 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3874

LOCATION

قسطون, Qastoun, Hama, Syria

Up to twelve civilians including at least six from the same family were reported killed in artillery shelling on Qastoun, Hama, on July 7th. The family members killed were originally from Al-Badriya village, and were killed while working in the agricultural lands between Qastoun and Badriya. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least

Summary

First published
July 7, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(2 children3–4 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected targets
Other, Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS3054

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Up to six civilians, including one child, were killed along with five wounded as Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, for the third day in row was subject to Assad and/or Russian air and artillery shelling, local media reported. According to al-Jazeera’s correspondent, who blamed both Russian and Assad forces, the shelling of eastern Ghouta on February

Summary

First published
February 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS353

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The Daesh agency Al A’maq produced a brief report saying that six civilians including four women and two children were killed – and 23 others injured – in a Russian air raid on Ar Raqqa. In a detailed report Alaan TV noted: “At twelve o’clock noon a Russian plane targeted the city with two raids at a

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
23
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 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS460

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between one and six civilians including a child died in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network, reported that several non-combatants were killed and several more injured when warplanes “thought to be Russian” carried out airstrikes on areas within

Summary

First published
January 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS3174

LOCATION

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Between two and six civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Hazza. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. The Step News Agency put the death toll at two; @Mohmaud_Anaus tweeted that four had died; and the Violations Documention Centre, blaming “Syrian government and affiliated militias”, named

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
2 – 6
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1329

LOCATION

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources have reported that on August 4, 2017, between three and six civilians were reportedly killed in an aerial bombardment on Al-Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. Some sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, other sources attributed the attack to the regime, and some to Russia. According to

Summary

First published
August 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 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

November 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1515

LOCATION

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians died after remnants of a cluster bomb allegedly dropped by Russian warplanes exploded in Taqad, according to local media. AMC, HNN and Spm-Syria were among sources blaming Russia. They put the death toll at three civilians. However, Al Souria reported that six civilians died. There are no other details at this

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 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

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1783

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Damascus, Syria

Up to six civilians, including two children, were killed and as many as 24 more were wounded following air or artillery or mortar strikes targeting Douma, Damascus, local sources reported. Sources, however, were unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strikes. Sources reported the death of between one and six

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20–24
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2531

LOCATION

حوير العيس, Hawir al Eis, Aleppo, Syria

As many as six civilians including a woman and an unspecified number of children were killed and at least two others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Hawir al Eis in the southern suburbs of Aleppo, according to local media. The Smart News Agency did not give an estimate of how

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2533

LOCATION

قرية القناطر , Al Qanatar village, Aleppo, Syria

As many as five airstrikes on Al Qanatar killed and wounded a number of civilians, according to sources on the ground. Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that warplanes, suspected to be Russian, struck a school in the village of Al Qanatar in the southern Aleppo countryside on September

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
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

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2491

LOCATION

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that between two and six civilians – an entire family, according to one source – died in alleged Russian or regime strikes on al Tamana’a. Sources blamed both Russian airstrikes or missiles fired from Russian battleships. Some other sources also pointed to regime warplanes. HNN reported that there had been “martyrs and

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–4 children1 woman1 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

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 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

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

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

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