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

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2155a

LOCATION

احسم, Ihsim town, Al Zawiya mountain, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians were killed – including a child – and others were wounded, when un-exploded cluster bomb remnants from a previous strike detonated in Ihsim town, Al Zawiya mountain, Idlib, local media said. Only the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes were responsible for the initial shelling; all other sources did not attribute any blame.

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 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 belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3675

LOCATION

رأس العين, Ras Al A’in, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that airstrikes struck a popular market in Ras al Ein village east of the city of Abu-Thabet in Idlib. According to Step News, shelling was carried out by “Russian airliners and helicopters”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime instead. The sources said that the market was attacked with

Summary

First published
May 7, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(2–4 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–20
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 target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3034

LOCATION

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians including one woman were killed and dozens were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jisreen, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The death toll amounted to three or four, sources on the ground said. However, a total of five fatalities were identified by name by Zaman al-Wasl and Damascus

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
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS841

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Four or five civilians died in an air or artillery on Marja, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
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

July 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1002

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed three civilians including two children in Aleppo’s Ferdos neighbourhood, local media reported. Sources said that warplanes continued to fly around the area after their airstrike. Syrian PC and Smart News Agency blamed Russian warplanes for the shelling in Al Ferdos. According to Sinn News, two women were also killed in the attack.

Summary

First published
July 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1066

LOCATION

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

Five civilians died in an airstrike on Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes continued targeting the neighbourhoods of the besieged city of Aleppo with dozens of raids every day,

Summary

First published
July 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1241

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians including as many as four children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Qasioun reported the death of a female child, blaming the regime. Other sources also

Summary

First published
September 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1–4 children1 woman)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1436

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Between one and five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Talbissa. Smart News wrote that “one civilian was killed and 10 were wounded due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling in Talbisa.” Almarsad Alsori Almowahad named a male victim on Twitter and posted a picture of

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1682

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, warplanes struck a house in Marat, Deir Ezzor, killing up to five civilians from the same family, including children and women as well as wounding up to ‘dozens’. Several sources reported that the strikes struck residential buildings, calling the incident a “massacre”. Reportedly, the strikes struck a home belonging to the

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2331

LOCATION

الحميدية, Hamediya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians, hereof at least one girl and her father, were killed, and up to 24 were wounded following Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in residential areas in Hamidiya neighbourhood, near Deir Ezzor, local media reported. It was, however, unclear whether the strike took place July 11th or 12th. The incident was first reported

Summary

First published
July 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 child1 man)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS178

LOCATION

مرعيان, Mareian, Idlib, Syria

Four children were among up to five civilians reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mareian, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Network stated that two rockets fell on the town and that two houses were completely destroyed. Jisr TV placed the death toll at five,

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4 children)
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

December 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS275

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrike on Maarat Al Numan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Both Shaam News Network and Almarra Today reported that the Russians were responsible for firing cluster bombs on the city, while

Summary

First published
December 14, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child4 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS595

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Between two and four civilians including up to two children were killed in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Violations Documentation Center said that two adult male non-combatants died as a result of Russia shelling.

Summary

First published
February 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(0–2 children1 woman2 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3413

LOCATION

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were reported killed in alleged Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus Syria ffor the third consecutive day on April 22nd, 2018. Marsad Hasaka said that Anas Bassam Amouri , Haj Saleh Mahmoud, Muhannad Saleh Mahmoud and Jamal Samih Hamid ‘Abu Khaled’ were killed in

Summary

First published
April 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1–5 men)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3071

LOCATION

مديرا, Madera, Damascus, Syria

At least one – possibly a child – and as many as five civilians were killed as Madera, Damascus, was subject to airstrikes, carried out by Russia and/or the Assad regime, as reported by local media. As a part of the intense shelling of eastern Ghouta, Madera was also struck by warplanes, local media reported. For

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(0–1 children)
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 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1045

LOCATION

كرم الطحان, Karam Tahan, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including children died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Karam Tahan, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the casualties. According to Arabstoday, “four people were killed and three were injured due to three Russian warplanes raids in Karm

Summary

First published
July 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 children)
Civilians reported injured
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

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1754

LOCATION

حي مساكن الفردوس, Masaken al Ferdos, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and between 12-15 injured in an airstrike on Masaken al Ferdos, Aleppo according to local media – though it was unclear whether the Russia or Assad regime were responsible. A “massacre” took place in Al Ferdos as the neighbourhood was struck by rocket-propelled grenades, according to Enab Beladi News.

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Civilians reported injured
12–15
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

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2826

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was injured, and an unspecific number were killed, in air and artillery strikes which struck Al Taman’a, according to sources on the ground. Local media blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the civilian harm. Orient News reported that “helicopters threw several barrels of explosives” on the vicinity. A local source,

Summary

First published
December 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
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 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3136

LOCATION

المرج, al-Marj, Damascus, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed and up to “dozens” were wounded as airstrikes hit al-Marj, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. Three of the victims, Saleh Mohammad Qadeesh, Mohamad Adnan Qadeesh and Nidhal Handhal al-Mehbash were reported by several sources, including Violations Documentation Center (VDC). One of the victims, Abdo Ahmed Hassoun, was only

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4–5 men)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS2922

LOCATION

لوف, Lowef, Idlib, Syria

Between one and five civilians were killed, and seven others were injured, in airstrikes on Lowef, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Sources described the strikes as “intensive shelling” by both “Russian and Syrian planes” –

Summary

First published
January 20, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Incident Code

RS3764

LOCATION

كفرعويد, Kafar A’waid, Idlib, Syria

According to local sources, five civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr A’waid on June 5th, 2019. 10 others, including four children, were reportedly wounded. Local sources reported that in the morning of June 5th, Russian and Syrian regime forces fired

Summary

First published
June 5, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(2 children1 woman2 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 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS606

LOCATION

حوش نصري, Hosh Nasri, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on the town of Hosh Nasri, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian planes” flew over Eastern Ghouta, targeting towns with several

Summary

First published
February 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child0–3 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS766

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Four or five civilians died and others were wounded in alleged airstrikes on Fardous, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. On Twitter, Syriam_m_m as well as Wesal_tv reported that five people died and many were wounded “in Russian

Summary

First published
April 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
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

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS863

LOCATION

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

Five civilians including one child died in an airstrike or artillery shelling at Al Kalassa, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo” in the first day of Ramadan in regime and

Summary

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

July 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1024

LOCATION

الطيبة‎, Al Tiba (Al Taibah), Homs, Syria

Local media reported that five civilians died – a woman and her four children – in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Tiba village, Homs. Although there were only two sources reporting this incident on July 21st 2016, they are both credible. LCCSY reported “‪#‎Homs‬ a woman and her four children were martyred

Summary

First published
July 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 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 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1199

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians including between one and two children and a woman were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Salheen, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes or explosive barrels dropped from Assad regime helicopters caused the casualties. The lowest death

Summary

First published
August 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1–2 children1 woman)
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

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS1918

LOCATION

الجابرية, Al-Jabriya, Hama, Syria

Four or five civilians died and four or five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the village of Al-Jabriya in Hama, according to sources on the ground. Fourteen militants from the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham were also claimed killed. AMC reported that “four paramedics were killed and another

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4–5 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2141

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma Al-Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians from one family died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Urma Al-Kubra, according to sources on the ground. Aljazeera and the Step News Agency were among sources pointing to Russia. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “Syrian-Russian alliance warplanes” – putting the death toll at “five civilians from the

Summary

First published
April 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2254

LOCATION

محيميدة, Mheimediya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including one to two children and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the village of Mheimidiya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. Three of the civilians killed were reportedly from the Mohammed al-Abar family and

Summary

First published
May 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 children1 woman)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2506

LOCATION

قرية القنيطرة, al Quneitra, Idlib, Syria

Five people were killed, and eight others, including four children and three women were wounded, in airstrikes against the village of al Quneitra in the Harem district of northwest Idlib. Sources all blamed Russian aviation for the raids. Syrian Network for Human Rights published an image of an injured child and reported that “The girl

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
8
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