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 12, 2021

Incident Code

R4313

LOCATION

كفرلاتا, Kafrlata, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes and artillery strikes on Kafrlata on June 12, 2021. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “on June 12, a shell fired by Syrian regime artillery forces exploded near a house in Kafr Lata village in the south

Summary

First published
June 12, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–11
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2022

Incident Code

R4456

LOCATION

الباره, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria

A woman was injured in an alleged missile strike by Russian or Syrian regime forces in the Al Bara district in Jabal Al Zawiya in southern Idlib on August 6th, 2022. The woman’s injuries were not specified though @RadioAlKul tweeted that she was “slightly injured” whereas all other sources reported that she was injured without

Summary

First published
August 6, 2022
Last updated
March 5, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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

November 21, 2022

Incident Code

R4492

LOCATION

معربليت, Maarbelet, Aleppo, Syria

A 35 year old man was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of the outskirts of the village of Maarbelet on November 21, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a man was injured while working on agricultural land by artillery shelling carried out by the Syrian regime and Russian forces on the outskirts

Summary

First published
November 21, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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 10, 2023

Incident Code

R4530

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atareb, Aleppo, Syria

On July 10th 2022, Syrian regime and/or Russian forces reportedly shelled the village of Al Atareb in western countryside of Aleppo, resulting in the injury of one elderly woman. Local sources including @SyriaCivilDefe and Baladi News stated that an elderly woman had been injured on the outskirts of Atarib, coinciding with an intense flight of

Summary

First published
July 10, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Incident Code

R4573

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

At least one man was injured after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery shelling in the southern periphery of the town of Binnish, east of Idlib on October 5th, 2023. On Facebook, Bunch Now alleged that there were “light injuries” amongst the civilian population, but multiple injuries were not reported elsewhere. Syrian Civil Defense reported

Summary

First published
October 5, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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.
Impact
Education
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Incident Code

R4595

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

On the evening of Saturday, 7th October 2023, intense artillery shelling with the reported use of the internationally banned phosphorus shells allegedly carried out by the Russian military and/or Iranian military and/or Syrian regime forces resulted in the death of one or two civilians, including an elderly man, and the injury of two civilians in

Summary

First published
October 7, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(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.
Impact
Healthcare
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2023

Incident Code

R4634

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, east of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Saturday, December 9th, 2023 at least one civilian was killed and seven other civilians, including three children, were injured by an alleged artillery strike by Syrian regime forces and/or the Russian and/or Iranian military in residential areas in the city of Sarmin, east of Idlib, Syria. According to an initial toll by the Syrian

Summary

First published
December 9, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
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, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2024

Incident Code

R4686

LOCATION

كفريا, Kafriya and its outskirts, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Shortly before 7:28 PM on Monday, September 23, 2024, Professor Mohamad Hamdo Al-Attouk (Abu Hamid), an elderly man, was among the five civilians killed, among them between one and two women. Up to thirteen civilians, including three women and eight children, were also injured in an artillery strike on the town of Kafriya, in particular,

Summary

First published
March 28, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Education, Primary School, Truck, Vehicle
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1–2 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
11–13
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.
Impact
Education
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military, Hezbollah Forces
Named victims
16 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2015

Incident Code

RS021 CS134

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory, “preliminary information reported the death of civilians – including women and children – in the bombing by Russian warplanes on areas at the eastern outskirts of Palmyra city which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’.” According to most sources, between 12 and 14 members of two Bedouin families died, including

Summary

First published
October 6, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 15
(5 children4 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, US-led Coalition
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

October 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS086

LOCATION

قبر الأنكليزي, Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians were reported killed in Kabr al Inglizi (‘Tomb of the English’) in an alleged strike by Russia. According to the White Helmets “Civil defence removed the bodies of four martyrs and several wounded following Russian bombing with vacuum missiles.“  

Summary

First published
October 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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

November 5, 2015

Incident Code

RS120

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that 71 civilians including nine or more children killed – and more than 100 people injured – when alleged Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes on the market in Al Bukamal. It added that more than 20 shops were destroyed and that a mosque, park and school were damaged

Summary

First published
November 5, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
48 – 71
(9–11 children1–4 women9 men)
Civilians reported injured
100
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
62 named, 6 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS154

LOCATION

أورم الجوز, Urum Al Joz, Idlib, Syria

According to The Syrian Observatory, Russian warplanes allegedly bombed Orme al Joz killing up to four civilians. While the Observatory reported unspecified casualties, VDC named one adult male fatality. The Syrian News Desk cited local media activist Khaled Al Idilbi as saying “that Russian warplanes targeted with two raids residential sites within the town of

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
4
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS187

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Al Bab by Russia or the Assad regime. According to the Syrian Observatory, the deaths occurred after a bakery was struck.  

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Incident Code

RS219

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

One eight-year-old child named as Omar Ahmad al-Shagal was killed – and at least six people injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, according to the Violations Documentation Center and Shaam News Network. SNN posted a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged attack, showing one injured child being removed from an ambulance into a

Summary

First published
December 2, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS252

LOCATION

كفر نايا, Kafr Naya, Aleppo, Syria

Three children and a civilian man were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naya, Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that three civilians were killed by Russian warplanes but listed all the victims as children. The VDC named two victims and also included one Unidentified –

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 man)
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

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS285

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

21 civilians were killed including two women and four children and 11 wounded in airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods in the centre and north and south of the city of Raqqa, according to multiple sources –  though it is unclear whether regime or Russian warplanes or shelling by the Assad regime were responsible for the casualties. According to

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
(4 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
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
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS317

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One adult male, Yehya Abdulrazzaq Hamdan “al-Kerbaa”, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Fresh Syria said Russian aircraft had targeted the city’s industrial district.  

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS349

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Twelve civilians were killed including two to three women and two to four children and  as many as 85 injured in airstrikes on Arbeen, according to multiple sources – although reports were conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 non-combatants died including

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(2–4 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
80–85
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
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS381

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Between 31 and 34 civilians including two to three children were killed – and up to 40 other people injured – in airstrikes on Maarat al Numan in Idlib, according to multiple sources. While all sources allege that Russia was responsible for the attack, initial reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime –

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
31 – 34
(2–3 children32 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
31 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS413

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Five to 13 civilians including six children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least three non-combatants were killed, including two children, when suspected Russian warplanes shelled Manbij on January 16th. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also blaming

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(6 children1 woman2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS447

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and 15 non-combatants died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Dallou neighbourhood of Al Buliyal, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported on a “new massacre in addition to the daily massacres committed by Russian aircraft against civilians in the countryside of Deir al-Zour and areas under

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
(1 child2 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS479

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and several members of his family injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mayadeen, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. Alaan TV reported “the deaths of dozens of victims and wounded, including civilians and members of Daesh.”  

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS512

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

One 17-year-old male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan using cluster munitions, according to local sources. Both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Center blamed Russian warplanes. The White Helmets also named the victim, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible for the

Summary

First published
January 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS547

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local sources. According to Step, Russia launched three strikes on the area, while Shahba Press said one civilian died in four Russian raids. Two victims of Russian warplanes were later named by Halab News.  

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS580

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, 62-year-old Abdul Jabbar Mohammad Mraimini, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on tel Rifa’at. Shaam News Network also reported one death, however it did not specifically

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1–2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS613

LOCATION

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Four non-combatants including one child died in airstrikes on Ain Tarma in Damascus governorate, according to two local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime carried out the attacks. The Shaam News Network reported that “The towns of eastern Ghouta are still living under bombardment by aviation Russian

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child0–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS645

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

Five to seven civilians died in a strike on Nawa, according to local sources – though only one source blamed Russia while the other suggested that artillery may have been responsible for the death of one of the victims. Dara Martyrs named six victims. The VDC also named one victim.  

Summary

First published
February 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–6
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS677

LOCATION

دير العصافير, Deir Al Assafir, Damascus, Syria

Between five and seven civilians – including medics – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in Deir Al Assafir, according to local sources. Abu Ksem Deir Al Assafir published a video which reportedly showed the aftermath of a strike on a “medical hospital in Deir Al Assafir”. According to Syrian Human Rights

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS709

LOCATION

فيحان, Faihan, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and 17 civilians died in a strike on Faihan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four non-combatants including two children from the same family died when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on

Summary

First published
March 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 17
(2 children)
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