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

July 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3969

LOCATION

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

At least four men were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. 18 others were reported injured. Although Ariha Today initially cited three civilians killed, the same source later named four fatalities, all of whom were men. Smart News Agency

Summary

First published
July 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
18
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, Unknown
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2019

Incident Code

R3853

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Kafar Nabil, local media reported on August 26, 2019. Smart reported: “The media activist in the city Baha Sweden said that Russian aircraft launched missile strikes on residential neighborhoods coinciding with artillery and rocket shelling

Summary

First published
August 26, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1272

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Five named civilians including one child and a woman died and up to eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Talbissa, Homs, according to sources on the ground. Syria News Desk reported that “three young men were killed and five others wounded today after cluster bombs dropped

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1599

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Five possible civilians reportedly died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo. The Syrian News Desk said 15 others were wounded and blamed Russia. @Assad_wolverine tweeted, “a military officer of the Army of Mujahideen Free Army was killed in an airstrike on his car”- the source did not identify

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 5
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1574

LOCATION

خان شيخون , Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians – a woman and her four children – died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. Most sources blamed the Assad regime, though there were also allegations against Russia. According to SMO, “Russian occupation aircraft on Sunday carried out a horrific massacre in the town of Khan Sheikhan in the village

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 woman)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Incident Code

RS229

LOCATION

الأربعين‎, Al Arbain, Hama, Syria

The Union of Hama Rebels, the SHRC and the VDC have all named five civilians including two women, whom they say died in a Russian airstrike on the village of Al Arbain.  

Summary

First published
December 4, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women3 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2019

Incident Code

RS3738

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians, including at least two children, were killed and up to ten more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ma’arat Al Numan on May 30th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence (@SyriaCivilDefe) reported that “five martyrs elevated and 10 others were injured, trapped under

Summary

First published
May 30, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2–4 children1–2 women0–1 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2987

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

The town of Mesraba, Damascus, was hit by an airstrike that killed between one and five civilians, including two children and at least one women, and wounded several others, local media reported. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. According to local reports, the incident in Mesraba was one out

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(2–3 children1–2 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS882

LOCATION

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria

Four or five civilians died in an airstrike on Castello road, according to local sources – though it’s unclear rom reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. A report by LCCSY said that five civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike. But Almokhtasar, Syrianpc and LCCSY were among other sources who blamed the regime. RadioAlkul said that the regime carried

Summary

First published
June 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS914

LOCATION

عطشان, Al Atshan, Hama, Syria

Reports said that five civilians including three children and two women died in a refugee camp for displaced persons near A’tshan in the northern Hama countryside. The majority of sources including numerous independent tweets have attributed this offensive with Russia. Aljazeera said that Moscow was responsible, reporting that victims were “killed in a Russian aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
June 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children2 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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1011

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, Izaz, Aleppo, Syria

A Civil Service Defence Quarter was put out of service when two warplanes fired missiles on Izaz, Aleppo, a town close to the Turkish border in northern Aleppo. Up to  five civilians including a child reportedly died in the attack, which caused extensive destruction to the building and injured several Civil Defence workers. Ara News

Summary

First published
July 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1075

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources. Syrian Press Center, Smart News Agency, Zakaria Nassani, Eldorar, Iraqsunahnews, RFS, EMC and LCCSY all blamed Russia. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
July 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1347

LOCATION

الزبدية, al Zabadia, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians died in the Al Zabadia neighbourhood of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported: “Two martyrs and ten wounded were reported as Russian warplanes carried out cluster bomb attacks on the Zabadia neighborhood.” Syrian Press Center reported a higher death

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
Civilians reported injured
3–10
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

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1745

LOCATION

الانصاري, Al Ansari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A single source reported that five unidentified civilians were killed “following Russian enemy raids on Al Ansari neighbourhood”.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1997

LOCATION

كفرجوم كفرجوم , Kafr Joum village, western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria

The “Magic World” area near Kafr Joum was struck by alleged Syrian and Russian planes just after midnight, killing five civilians and wounding at least five others, according to local sources. Civil defence teams worked throughout the airstrikes to rescue those trapped under rubble. While many sources reported nine injured, the Syrian Press Centre claimed

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
5–24
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

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

RS047

LOCATION

سابقية, Sabkiye, Aleppo, Syria

A husband, wife and their three children, all boys, were reported killed in a Russian airstrike at Sabkiye, in Aleppo governorate. This event is presently single-sourced, with few details known. More broadly, the Syrian Observatory reported a major ground battle taking place at Sabkiye on the same day.

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS241

LOCATION

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians including two women and two children were killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting Al Huluk School, Aleppo, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets reported that four dead bodies were recovered from the rubble and that 10 injured people were rescued. It said that among

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS433

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died and up to 20 were injured in airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Syrian Press Centre blamed Russia, putting the death toll at five, adding that “the city Of Al Bab is

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS497

LOCATION

مارع, Mare', Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians including two children were killed and up to 40 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mare’, according to local sources. According to the White Helmets, the town was targeted with four cluster bombs and then with two vacuum missiles, resulting in the death of three and the injury of 15 others, “most of them

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–40
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS785

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five people, including a woman and child, were killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Qaterji on April 29th 2016. Shaam News Network, reported “For the eighth day in a row Assad’s and Russian aircraft continue to pour their lava on residential neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, causing dozens

Summary

First published
April 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
9–10
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

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3037

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including at least one child, were killed as the town of Al Nashabiya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, local media reported. Sources were unclear whether to blame Russia or the Syrian regime – or both. As several sources reported, large parts of eastern

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS3051

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

As the aerial shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on February 21st, the town of Arbeen was struck by Russian and/or Assad-waged air raids, killing up to five civilians and wounding another three, local media reported. On February 21st, al-Modon reported that “more than 50 air raids” were carried out in multiple towns in eastern Ghouta, including

Summary

First published
February 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS4067

LOCATION

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian and/or regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, on August 22nd, 2019. Step Agency reported that “Russian and Syrian warplanes targeted [a number of locations], and five civilians were killed in Deir Sharqi”. Two other sources documented the airstrikes, including Macro Media Center which reported that “warplanes

Summary

First published
August 22, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1294

LOCATION

المواصلات, Al Mowasalat, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and five civilians were killed, including two children, after airstrikes allegedly waged by the regime or Russia, pummeled the al Mowasalat neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported. More civilians were trapped under rubble. Several sorties were flown over Aleppo, and according to Islammemo “both planes and helicopters” were involved. Sources agreed that it

Summary

First published
September 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(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
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1424

LOCATION

Sadd al Loz, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including a child and a woman died and up to 20 more people were injured in air and/or artillery strikes on Sad al-Luz in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia. The media opposition activist

Summary

First published
October 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1714

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Qaterji neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died in an  airstrike on Aleppo’s Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources said that the civilian harm was caused by a chlorine attack from helicopters, though some other reports pointed towards Russia and cited the use of cluster bombs and rockets. Nabd explictly said that “Assad helicopters threw explosive barrels of chlorine

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2186

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians – one woman and her children – were killed, and a further two were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Khan Sheikhoun on the 27th of April 2017, according to sources on the ground. Multiple sources said the victims were displaced people from Helfaya in Hama Governorate. Some sources said

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2585

LOCATION

منطقة السدة الطيبة, Al Sadda area, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A woman and her four children were killed, and as many as two others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al Sadda area, Al Tayba. Sources all either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute any blame. There are no other details at this time.  

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3608

LOCATION

بلدات متعددة في ريف إدلب, Several towns in Idlib countryside, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that Russian warplanes carried out strikes on a number of towns and villages in Idlib on March 20th and 21st, resulting in the death of up to five civilians. According to the Step News Agency, “Russia launched several air raids on the towns of Sheikh Mustafa and Basida  and the outskirts of

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child)
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 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2538

LOCATION

Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Idlib, Syria

Between two and five civilians, among them two children, were killed and up to seven others wounded in an airstrike on Qainoun village, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 2 children were killed when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on Qayqoun (al Qaderiya) village in Idlib governorate

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2 children1 man)
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
2 named
View Incident