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

September 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3540

LOCATION

بيدر شمسو, Baidar Shamso, Idlib, Syria

One woman was reportedly killed and several civilians, including three women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Baidar Shamso, Idlib governorate, on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a civilian woman had been killed in airstrikes on Baidar Shamso. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that

Summary

First published
September 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5
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

June 8, 2020

Incident Code

RS4505

LOCATION

الموزرة , Al-Muzarra, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and between three and four civilians, including a woman, were injured in an airstrike allegedly carried out by Russian forces on the town of Al-Muzarra in Idlib province on June 8, 2020. A number of sources state that two males, Hussein Ali al Abboud and 32-year-old Mustafa Abdul Raouf

Summary

First published
June 8, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–4
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2021

Incident Code

R4362

LOCATION

تديل, Tadel, Aleppo, Syria

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime shelling of Tadel on August 1, 2021. According to @Ahmad_1alshble, “a civilian was injured by shelling by Assad’s gangs that targeted residential houses and agricultural lands in the town of Tadel”. A tweet from @rdwanalshhwan identified the civilian injured as a “young man”. Syria TV

Summary

First published
August 1, 2021
Last updated
March 5, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 belligerent
Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Incident Code

R4460

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Maarat Al-Nasan, Idlib, Syria

The town Maarat al Naasan was attacked by cluster bombs allegedly as a result of Syrian and Russian regime forces after midnight on August 16th 2022.  Local sources also blamed Iranian-backed militas. While no civilian deaths are reported, a seven year old boy got lightly injured on his arm by a life bullet, while he

Summary

First published
August 16, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2022

Incident Code

R4496

LOCATION

سفوهن, Sfuhen, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was seriously injured by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery shelling of the village of Sfuhen on December 22, 2022 The @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that a civilian was seriously injured while herding sheep when artillery shelling, carried out by Syrian regime and Russian forces, struck the village of Sfuhen. Other local sources

Summary

First published
December 22, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2023

Incident Code

R4525

LOCATION

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria

On July 4th, 2023 artillery strikes in the town of Al Bara, south of Idlib, wounded a married couple, and the woman, named Radhya Al-Othman as reported by the Syria Civil Defense, died due to her injuries the next day; allegedly the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces are responsible for the attacks. After the shelling,

Summary

First published
July 4, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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

September 2, 2023

Incident Code

R4552

LOCATION

السحارة, Al Sahara, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians – a man, his daughter, and another girl – were injured in Al Sahara, Western Aleppo, by artillery allegedly fired by the Syrian regime and/or Russian military on September 2, 2023. All three injured in the evening shelling were civilians, according to SCD News, and both girls were children. The shelling

Summary

First published
September 2, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2023

Incident Code

R4619

LOCATION

كفرتعال, Kafar Taal, west of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

During the morning of Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime artillery shelling on agricultural lands in the village of Kafar Taal, west of Aleppo, Syria, killed a woman and injured at least two civilians, including a woman and 70-year-old man, while they were harvesting olives. Several sources, including the Syrian Civil

Summary

First published
November 2, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2023

Incident Code

R4637

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Azza, west of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two siblings, a boy and a girl, were injured by an artillery attack reportedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian military before midnight on Saturday, December 10, 2023, on the residential neighborhoods of city of Darat Azza, west of Aleppo, Syria. Iman Abu Talib and Muhammad Abu Talib, a girl and boy, were

Summary

First published
December 10, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2024

Incident Code

R4708

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Shortly before 10:19 AM on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, a girl and a man were injured in Daret Izza, west of Aleppo, Syria, by an artillery shelling with contested responsibility allegedly launched by the Syrian regime along with Russian airstrikes during violent clashes between Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham members and the Syrian regime forces. Though the

Summary

First published
March 28, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
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.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Belligerents reported killed
12–24
Belligerents reported injured
12–24
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS025

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

A mother and her two children were killed along with another woman in a suspected Russian cruise missile strike on the town of Darat Izza. Amnesty International later reported: “More than six residential buildings with at least a dozen homes were destroyed by the attack according to an eyewitness interviewed by Amnesty International as well

Summary

First published
October 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS057

LOCATION

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilian males were reported killed when their car was struck in an alleged Russian airstrike at Zerbeih. Three people were also reported injured in the attack. The men were named by VDC as Mohammad Subhi Basheir and Abdo Ali. Footage and interviews from the town showed extreme damage to at least one civilian neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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 29, 2015

Incident Code

RS090

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

At least 70 people died and as many as 550 were injured in what was initially reported as a Russian airstrike on the marketplace in Douma. However subsequent reports indicated the specific attack was most likely the work of Assad regime aircraft. Part of the confusion lay in the fact that Russian Air Force aircraft

Summary

First published
October 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
70
Civilians reported injured
550
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS125

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

News media and casualty recorders reported that between 25 and 26 civilians were killed including eight children and seven women – and more than a dozen injured – in airstrikes targeting a market where people were queuing to buy heating fuel. It remains unclear whether the Assad regime or Russian forces were responsible for the

Summary

First published
November 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25 – 26
(8 children7 women10 men)
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
25 named, 5 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS158

LOCATION

قبر الأنكليزي, Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reports that one adult male non-combatant was killed in alleged Russian warplane strikes on Qabr al Inglisi. The Free Syrian Army, which also named the victim, said he originally came from Anadan.  

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS191

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Five adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the main street of Maarat Al Nu’man. Orient News interviewed three witnesses to the attack (featured below). “The Russians carried out five raids killing around six people and injuring many. They were all civilian passers-by,” states a civil defence worker, while a resident

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS223

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hanida, Raqqa, Syria

Three brothers were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike which targeted a car carrying them to work near the town of Haneeda, according to Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. The victims – all described as builders – have all been named.    

Summary

First published
December 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS256

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One male child, Khaled Nihad al-Nuna , was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the Violations Documentation Centre. Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

December 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS289

LOCATION

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Seventeen non-combatants including eight women and nine children were killed in airstrikes on Najieh near Jisr al Shughour according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Thirteen of those killed as well as an unborn child came from one family, the

Summary

First published
December 18, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(9 children8 women)
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
18 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS321

LOCATION

الحيدرية, Haidariya, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, a woman and child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the northern roundabout area in Al Haidariya . The Syrian Observatory reported a number of unspecified casualties, while Halab News named the same woman and child killed as VDC, attributing their deaths to “a Russian Air Force bombing attack on

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS353

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The Daesh agency Al A’maq produced a brief report saying that six civilians including four women and two children were killed – and 23 others injured – in a Russian air raid on Ar Raqqa. In a detailed report Alaan TV noted: “At twelve o’clock noon a Russian plane targeted the city with two raids at a

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
23
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS385

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Six to ten civilians were killed – and several others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tadif, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and others. The Network initially reported that five non-combatants died, but a second report put the figure at six. Syria Newsdesk said the event featured a so-called ‘double tap’ strike:

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 10
(6 men)
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS417

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” bombed areas in Al Bab city in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The Observatory said the alleged attack resulted in injuries and casualties, including women and children, but did not provide numbers. However, Halab Today TV and North Media Institute said

Summary

First published
January 17, 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

January 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS451

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 61 and 90 civilians including two women and 11 children were killed – and between 40 and 100 others injured – in airstrikes on Khusham, according to multiple sources. While three of the five sources say that Russia was responsible for the attack, there was some uncertainty from the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
61 – 90
(11 children2 women22 men)
Civilians reported injured
40–100
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
68 named, 10 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS483

LOCATION

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Seven civilians have been named as victims of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ar-Rastan, January 27th 2016. One woman was reportedly from Jawala – other sources have claimed that the victims were all displaced peoples. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes “launched dozens of air raids targeted several areas of the northern countryside of Homs

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–40
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS516

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Ten civilians including four children, four women and a rescue worker were killed – and ten to 15 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 20 raids with missiles and cluster bombs targeting homes in the city center of Anadan and

Summary

First published
February 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
(3–4 children3–4 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–15
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
11 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS552

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a woman and her child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Takaya street. In a second report, it added: “The fires are still raging since this morning until now [9:25pm] in Al Takaya street after Russian planes targeted Al Khair Mall and Takiyat al

Summary

First published
February 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS584

LOCATION

آفس, Afes, Idlib, Syria

Seven civilians including four children were killed in airstrikes on Afes – though sources are unclear or conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that five non-combatants were killed when warplanes raided the Afes area, though did not say who the

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4 children3 men)
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
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS617

LOCATION

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria

Two or three civilians were killed in airstrikes on Harbnafsa according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Shaam News Network said that  Russian warplanes launched “intensive air raids on the town” in the morning. Activists documented eight strikes, leading to two

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(0–1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS660

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Five civilians including two to three children died in airstrikes on Zamalka according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out intense strikes on the clash areas and

Summary

First published
February 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2–3 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