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

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

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 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS2846

LOCATION

عربين , Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported: “The Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus said six civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed and others injured, as a result of Russian raids overnight on residential neighborhoods in the city of Arbeen.”. The Step News Agency also put the death toll at

Summary

First published
January 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1 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
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1365

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Between three and six civilians including up to three children were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib. LCCSY wrote that “three died and some were wounded among civilians as Russian warplanes bombarded Khan Sheikhoun city.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights, on the other hand, accused the Assad regime

Summary

First published
September 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS430

LOCATION

البغيلية, Al Bgailieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bgailieh, according to local sources – though only one source alleged that Russia was responsible. Step News Agency Tweeted that Russian strikes had hit Al Bgailieh. According to the Syria News Network, members of Daesh were “killed and wounded following clashes with the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS654

LOCATION

حتلا, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and six civilians including one or two children and one woman died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hatla, according to multiple local sources – with some reporting that all six victims were from the same family. According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, Russian warplanes carried out two raids. LCCSY put

Summary

First published
February 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
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

June 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS944

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

According to local sources, up to six civilians died including a child in Talbissa and Ar-Rastan, though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Elbiseh, Syrian Press Center and StepAgency identified on of the victims. LCCSY attributed the strike to Russia, while the twitter account KkhaledWw pointed to

Summary

First published
June 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(1 child1 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

July 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS976

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A petrol station was destroyed causing huge fires in Salheen following alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplane shelling, reportedly killing up to six civilians including three children. Burqa Media, LCCSY and local sources reported that Russian warplanes caused the damage to the neighbourhood. But Halab News reported the raids to be conducted by the Syrian

Summary

First published
July 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1040

LOCATION

سوحا, Souha, Hama, Syria

Six civilians from one family, including a woman and four children, died in an airstrike on Souha in Hama, according to local media. Only one of the two sources (LCCSY), alleged that Russia was to blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred only to “warplanes”.

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1 woman)
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 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1118

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

At least three airstrikes on Ariha killed between up to six civilians and wounded up to 20 more including five women, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Smart News Agency attributed the shelling to regime warplanes. The Smart News agency reported that “regime warplanes launched three raids on the city

Summary

First published
August 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1182

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan al Asal, Aleppo, Syria

Up to six civilians – reportedly from the same family, according to some sources – died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes which hit the Zahret-Almadaan area near Khan Al-Sal, local media said. While the majority of sources blamed Russia, the Shaam News Network attributed the event

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1–2 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1312

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that five or six civilians from the same family were killed by Russian warplanes in al Marja, Aleppo. Halab News reported identified four fatalities by name and added that an unidentified baby also was among the casualties. Multiple sources claimed that the dead were from the same family, including @ShahbaPress, @shbabRevolution, @ALAMAWI, @HNMNEWS,

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2243

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in an air and artillery strike on Hamouriya, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others pointed to the Syrian regime. According to Qasıoun, a guided missile struck an old Mosque in the town.

Summary

First published
May 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children1–2 women1–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2822

LOCATION

المشيرفة, Mushrifah, Idlib, Syria

A mother and between three and five children were killed in airstrikes which “targeted” their home in Mushrifah, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some attributing blame to Moscow, while others pointed to the Syrian regime. Manahi Al Ahmad reported that the victims died as a result of “targeting

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(3–5 children1 woman)
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

August 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1161

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians including women and children died and up to 12 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Qaterji, local media reported. The victims included the 10-year-old child  who later died from injuries sustained in the attack. His brother, Omran Daqmeesh, was also wounded when the strike hit the family home –

Summary

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

October 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS034

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

Up to six civilians from one family, including a child and two women, were reported killed after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tamaanah. Two people were injured. The dead were later listed by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Local media activist Abdul Kader Al Bakri told the Network: “This time we traced a

Summary

First published
October 10, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1–2 children2 women2 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 belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS066

LOCATION

أبو خنادق, Abu al Khanadak, Hama, Syria

Six people were killed – including four women – following an alleged Russian strike on civilian homes at Abu al Khanadak. The dead were later named by VDC. Images obtained by Shaam showed significant damage at the site.  

Summary

First published
October 21, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 women2 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
6 named, 3 families identified
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

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS452

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including one woman and her five children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on Al Bab, the town of Baza’aa, the village of Qasr al Buraij, and a farm

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
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
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS612

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Six civilians including four children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on Douma, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta“,

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1 woman0–1 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
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS804

LOCATION

صلاح القرية‬, Salah al Qariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five to six civilians including two children and two to three women died in airstrikes on Salah al Qariya area, in Albu Umar according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY reported the death of four civilians in what they

Summary

First published
May 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(1 child2 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
5 named
View Incident