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 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1577

LOCATION

عندان , Anadan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that five civilians from the Hishoum family – a woman and her four children – died and as many as dozens more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Anadan. SMO-SY reported: “According to activists, the Russian aircraft committed a massacre in the city of Anadan in the northern countryside,

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS342

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians were killed and several others injured in alleged Russian and/or Assad regime airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network produced two reports on the alleged incident. The first report put the death toll at two and an unspecified number of wounded, while the second report said five civilians

Summary

First published
January 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS534

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Five adult male civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to the Violations Documentation Center. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported missiles belonging to the Assad regime killed at least three people including two children. This could, however, be a separate incident, as no children are listed as killed in the

Summary

First published
February 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(0–3 children5 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS3178

LOCATION

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

One to five civilians, including a girl, were killed, and several others were injured in air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Hazza. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Qasioun News reported on “artillery shelling by the regime’s forces” in the residential area. There were as many as

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 child)
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

July 25, 2019

Incident Code

RS3954

LOCATION

الاتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that up to five civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Atarib, Aleppo countryside, on July 25th, 2019. At least three others were injured. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted: “A man and a woman were killed and three others were wounded, as a result of the warplanes

Summary

First published
July 25, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–24
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2728 CS1673a

LOCATION

جليب غانم, Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five civilians including two children and a woman were killed and between seven and nine more were wounded in an alleged US Coalition or Russian airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in the Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though @basher_811 pointed to the Coalition,, reporting: 

Summary

First published
November 13, 2017
Last updated
April 17, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–9
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1223

LOCATION

داعل, Dael, Daraa, Syria

One named civilian died in an airstrike on Da’el, according to local sources – though it was unclear whether the death was caused by a Russia or Syrian regime airstrike or by regime artillery. Sources reported that both Russian and regime aircraft were operating in the area. Akhbar Alan blamed a regime airstrike while SyrianMubasher

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1255

LOCATION

الميسر, Mayser, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians including one child died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on the Mayser neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to Zouhayrhnidel, “Russian warplanes destroyed 30 civilian houses

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1288

LOCATION

حي السكري, Sukkari , Aleppo, Syria

Between two and five civilians including a child and up two women died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to local media. Al Jazeera said that a six-storey building was destroyed in the attack. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
September 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(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
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1418

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

According to local media, an airstrike on Heesh village near Idlib killed a family of four: a father, mother and two children – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One report claimed that there were five deaths. According to the Shaam News Network, the strikes hit a

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 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
4 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1649

LOCATION

النشابية, Al Nashabia, Damascus, Syria

Between one and five children were killed and up to 20 were wounded – including 15 students and four teachers – following an artillery bombardment and airstrikes which struck Al Nashabiya School in Damascus, also named by another source as “Al Karma” Primary, according to local media. Most sources have either not attributed any blame

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1–5 children)
Civilians reported injured
15–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2544

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Airstrikes on Douma reportedly hit civilian homes and a centre for people with special needs. The centre was destroyed, and local media reported that up to five civilians were killed. Up to a further 20 civilian were said to have been wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2956

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Up to five members of the Civil Defence were killed and several were left wounded, local media reported, following alleged Russian or Assad regime shelling of the Civil Defence Center in Saraqib, Idlib. Several local media reported that the Civil Defence Center had been struck, described by the Civil Defences’ Twitter as “heavy shelling”. The

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 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

June 15, 2019

Incident Code

RS3805

LOCATION

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians, including three children and up to two women, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, Idlib governorate, on June 15th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to 11 other civilians were reportedly injured. The Local Coordination Committee Syria reported that two children were killed in the raid in

Summary

First published
June 15, 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
2 – 5
(2–5 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–11
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS545

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

The Shaam News Network, reported that five non-combatants died in Fardous as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo” on Thursday February 4th. The Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes carried out “a number of raids on Al Mashhad and al Ferdous in the city of Aleppo, which resulted in the death

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS866

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, 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 Russian bombing“. It put

Summary

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

November 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1687 RS2771

LOCATION

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing

Summary

First published
November 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 child1 woman2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1606

LOCATION

قبتان الجبل, Qabtan Al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians, potentially from one family, died in an airstrike on the neighbourhood of Qabtan Al Jabal, Western Aleppo, according to multiple sources. All of the sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes. Local news site, Syria News, put the death toll at one, reporting: “a civilian was killed and six others were wounded by

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
Civilians reported injured
5–6
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2019

Incident Code

RS3648

LOCATION

جب سليمان, Jab Suleiman, Hama, Syria

On the morning of May 3rd, alleged Russian airstrikes struck different areas in Sahl Al Ghab and Jabal Shashbu in the western countryside of Hama, local sources reported. Between one and five civilians were reported killed in the village of Jib Sulaiman in Jabal Shaheshbo, including up to two women. @IdlibPlus reported the death of

Summary

First published
May 3, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS2864

LOCATION

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria

Five civilians were killed and others were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal Al-Toukan near Abu Al-zuhur. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes, the Syrian regime or “helicopters”, making this a contested event. According to local media, “successive raids” and “heavy shelling” caused “large umbers of dead and wounded” as well as destruction to residential

Summary

First published
January 7, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2064

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

As many as five civilians were killed – including a child and two women – and others were injured, following an alleged air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Abohanin617 and Shehab

Summary

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

Incident date

April 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2122

LOCATION

السكرية و محميل , Sukariya and Muhmil, Idlib, Syria

Four or five civilians, reportedly from the same family, died in an airstrike on Sukariya and Muhmil in rural Idlib, according to local media. All but one source blamed Russia. Syria Mirror: reported: “Russian warplanes launched several air strikes with rocket-propelled grenades at communities in the village of Sukariya in the eastern countryside of the city

Summary

First published
April 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children2 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2413

LOCATION

صغير شامية, Saghir Shamiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In this single-source incident, the Smart News Agency reported that “five civilians from one family were killed on Thursday night [Aug 31st] in an air strike likely to be a Russian attack on the village of Zaghir Shamiya”. There are no further details currently available.

Summary

First published
August 31, 2017
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

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS053

LOCATION

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named Omar Al Sheikh Hammoud from Talbiseh as a civilian victim of a Russian airstrike on Al Ghantu. He had been severely injured in a strike the day before. Video filmed on October 18th shows rebels attempting to shoot down a suspected Russian aircraft over the town. A major Syrian Army

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Incident Code

RS3017

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed along with “dozens” wounded as Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to alleged Assad or Russian-waged aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported. The shelling, which  hit densely populated residential areas, reportedly caused much civilian harm and damage. Orient News’ correspondent reported how both

Summary

First published
February 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(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
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2051

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four children and a woman died and as many as eight further civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orme al Kubra in Aleppo, according to local media. AhmadMowafaq tweeted that there had been a “chemical bombardment on the Great Orm countryside Aleppo and the United Nations and America is silent and

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2155

LOCATION

عابدين, Abidien, Idlib, Syria

As many as five civilians were killed – including four doctors – and others were injured, following an airstrike on a makeshift hospital in Abidien, local media reported.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, whilst others blamed the Syrian regime. Alarabiya news reported that it was either Syrian or a Russian warplane. A

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2267

LOCATION

السخنة, Al-Shokhna, Homs, Syria

Warplanes, likely to be Russian, were reported by multiple sources to have struck the ‘Souq Al Khamis’ market of Al-Shukhna, according to local media. Al-Shukhna was under ISIS control at the time of the incident. Most sources reported the death of five civilians and the wounding of 17 others. There are no other details at

Summary

First published
June 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
Civilians reported injured
6–17
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

R1347

LOCATION

قرية بريهة , Bariha village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that between two and four civilians died and up to another five were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bariha village. Sound and Picture put the death toll at two, though Euphrates Post said as many as four died. Radio AlKul added that five more civilians were wounded in the attack.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS064

LOCATION

الرهجان, Al Rahjan, Hama, Syria

The VDC lists four unidentified civilian males as having been killed by “Russian air force shelling” at Al Rahjan in Hama. Other sourcing is weak, with the Syrian state news agency Sana attributing the attack to Assad regime aircraft, while Al Watan mentions only ‘aircraft.’  

Summary

First published
October 20, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident