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

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS808

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians including three children died in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra according to local sources –  though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Syrian Newsdesk more than fifteen Russian and regime warplane raids in the Kafr Hamra area resulted in the death of a family

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(3 children1 woman)
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 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

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS873

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza. All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
June 7, 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS905 CS230

LOCATION

‏السموقة‬, Jisr Samouqa, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Samouqa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the US-led Coalition. Aleppo24, @ALAMAWI, Al Mukhtassar and Nabd Syria blamed Russia. Aleppo 24 reported: “A family made up of 7 people killed and 3 other civilians killed

Summary

First published
June 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS939

LOCATION

الخربة‬, Al Khirba (al A'mika), Hama, Syria

Local sources reported the deaths of up to 11 civilians, including five children, in airstrikes on the two villages of Al Khirba and Al A’lkamiya. It is contested with the Syrian Regime by one source, Arabi21, however most sources, attributed the strike to Russia. LCCSY named five of the killed civilians, including four children.

Summary

First published
June 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 11
(4–5 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
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS971

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

On July 5th 2016, alleged shelling by either Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes, killed up to four civilians. According to Step News and Al Jazeera there were no reported casualties, however Janoubia News reported one female casualty, and Halab Today named one male civilian casualty – yet the age is not specified. Further to this,

Summary

First published
July 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 woman)
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 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1003

LOCATION

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Shuhada’a Al-Aqsa Mosque was struck in east Aleppo and destroyed following an airstrike carried about by both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, local media reported. The raid occurred in the morning of July 14th, according to the White Helmets. Between seven and ten civilians including an entire family were reportedly killed. Smart News and Shahba News

Summary

First published
July 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
(3–5 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1035

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Eleven or twelve civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Fardous neighbourhood, according to local media. Smart News reported that Russian warplanes carried out two raids on the town. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, blamed “the regime and its allies for the warplane shelling”. The shelling reportedly

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
(2 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–35
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

July 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1067

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

A 16-year-old boy reportedly died in an airstrike on his home in Khan al Shiekh, according to local media – though sources were unclear whether the strike was carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. Syrian News Desk reported that the victim was “a boy aged 16, who was a soccer player in the

Summary

First published
July 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS802 RS2230

LOCATION

مزرعة القادسية, Al Qadissiya, Raqqa, Syria

As many as three civilians died in an airstrike on Al Qadissiya village – including one adult male – according to local sources. There were reports of multiple strikes on the village. The allegations were against both the Coalition and Russian warplanes. A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Only one source

Summary

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1313

LOCATION

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria

Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties. According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the

Summary

First published
August 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1658 RS2669

LOCATION

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS1093

LOCATION

شغور, Shaghuor, Idlib, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, as killed by a Russian cluster bomb. While the source reports that the victim was from Shahour village, it’s unclear whether he was killed there. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
August 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1125

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Between five and six civilians – four from the same family – were killed and at least two others were wounded by more than two airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether the planes belonged to Russia or the regime. Most of those injured were reportedly

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1157

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and seven civilians died and more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Al Atarib, according to local media – though a number of sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Multiple reports said that a child died. Youn7 said that three people were killed including the child. According to Akhbaralaan, “seven civilians

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

LOCATION

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Center, died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an airstrike on Efis in Idlib, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several attributed the event to the Assad regime. These reports put the death count at one, with an unspecified

Summary

First published
August 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–11
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1222

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a man and his daughter – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Accordingly to LCCSY, the victims died following sustaining injuries in a Russian strike. Both Almuhajer and Abdulkaderhep tweeted graphic images of the victims receiving treatment in a medical facility. Step News Agency, SyriaMubasher,

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1254

LOCATION

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between two and fifteen civilians including one woman died and 43 more were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Marja, according to local media. Alamawi, Jisrtv, LCCSY all blamed Russia. In a video published by Piepers Umran (see below), a man says that Russian planes “targeted civilians as there are no militants in

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
43
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 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1287

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab , Aleppo, Syria

Local news outlets alleged that either Russian or Syrian forces were responsible for two civilian deaths, including one woman’s, on the road between Bab al Mayrab and al Salheen in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said “fixed-wing warplanes, believed to be Russian, fired missiles at the residential homes on the road leading to

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1319

LOCATION

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed by airstrikes in the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to multiple local reports. Several civilians were also wounded, according to @ameeralhalabi and @essamtakly. Halab News referred to one unidentified civilian killed in the raid, as did the Shaam News Network. Some sources referred to the strikes as Russian. For instance,

Summary

First published
September 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

September 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1351

LOCATION

صلاح الدين, Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and six civilians were reported killed and 20 more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Salahudin in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “four civilians (three children and their mother) died when alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Salahudin neighborhood in Aleppo city.” Thiqanewsagency and Almawi, among others, reported a lower

Summary

First published
September 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1383

LOCATION

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, up to four unidentified civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s al-Ansari neighbourhood. According to Maser Press, “four civilians were killed and dozens wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Al-Ansari”. Other sources put the death toll at between one and

Summary

First published
October 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
5–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1417

LOCATION

Al Masra'a al Thania, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians including two children and up to three women died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania near Maskana in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Press Center, “two children were killed and others wounded due to warplanes shelling in Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania and the sugar factory

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2–3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS1449

LOCATION

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Basha, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Bustan al Basha neighbourhood, according to local media. Halab News listed on unidentified civilian as killed in a Russian raid. The Shaam News Network also put the death toll at one, but reported that both Russia and the regime carried out strikes

Summary

First published
October 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1481 CS343b

LOCATION

الرميلة, al Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

Twenty civilians, reportedly from three families, died and more were wounded in airstrikes on Raqqa’s al Rumaila neighborhood, local media said. Most reports attributed the event to Russia, though one source said that the Coalition carried out a strike which led to civilian casualties. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Russian planes targeted the

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
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 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1513

LOCATION

Arbin, Damascus, Syria

A number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes or regime artillery shelling on Arbin, according to sources on the ground – though specific casualty figures were not given. LCCSY reported that Russia conducted “two airstrikes with thermobaric missiles on the neighborhoods in #Arbin city” alongside regime artillery shelling, resulting in an unspecified number

Summary

First published
October 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1763

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Up to eight civilians were killed and 15 injured in multiple airstrikes on Kafr Sajna, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Step News, who put the death toll at four with a “number” of injuries, reported that “warplanes launched four airstrikes with surface rockets

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 8
(2 men)
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
2 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1322a RS2380

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike in Zor Shamer, Raqqa, according to local media sources – though it was not clear who was responsible. Most sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces, though one reported that Coalition aircraft conducted the strike. DeirEzzor24, reported that “Coalition aircraft targeted the area south of Hsaywa, Zor Shamer”. Syrian

Summary

First published
August 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2019

Incident Code

RS4025

LOCATION

مدايا, Madaya, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Madaya, Idlib, on August 14th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Hussein Ali al Rayya, from Ma’aret Harma village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes carried out a strike using machine guns on the vicinity of Madaya village in

Summary

First published
August 14, 2019
Last updated
April 9, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

July 15, 2020

Incident Code

RS4515

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Idlib, Syria

One child has been killed and up to 12 injured, including as many as eight children and three women in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al-Bab, Idlib on July 15th 2020. Smart news initially reported: “A child was killed and eight others were injured Wednesday, by Russian warplanes shelling in the city

Summary

First published
July 15, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
8–12
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
Named victims
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident