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

October 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2632

LOCATION

ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to four civilians, including one woman, were killed and several more were wounded, following an airstrike and/or artillery attack on Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were to blame. While some sources reported the death of two civilians, several sources reported a

Summary

First published
October 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 woman3 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3517

LOCATION

غرز, Gharaz, Daraa, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes in Gharaz, Dara’a governorate, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was wounded. Several sources, such as @Wesal_TV, reported that four civilians were killed and others were wounded by airstrikes targeting the Gharaz area, east of Dara’a. While most sources

Summary

First published
July 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2980

LOCATION

ترملا , Tarmala, Idlib, Syria

At least two and as many as four civilians were killed, including one child, while several others were left wounded as alleged Russain warplanes struck the al Shamali neighbourhood in Tarmala village, Idlib, local media reported. Up to four civilians were killed in this incident, where all sources unanimously attributed blame to Russia. While Syrian Network

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(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
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2019

Incident Code

RS3798

LOCATION

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians were killed and five others wounded when Russian and Syrian regime forces shelled the city of Hass. Initially, @Step_Agency reported that  one civilian was killed but in a later tweet added that the death toll had risen to three. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a woman, a man

Summary

First published
June 14, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS666 CS183

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on al Bukamal according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition were to blame. SyrianPC said four non-combatants died in a Russian shelling of “oil separators in the Al-Hajjana area”. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also

Summary

First published
February 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1–4 men)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS956

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Hayan in Aleppo, local media said – though most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. Most sources reported the death of one civilian, while one source, LCCSY alleged the strikes led to four civilian deaths. Halab

Summary

First published
June 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1206

LOCATION

Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Three or four civilians died in an airstrike or artillery shelling of Maysar, according to sources on the ground. All but one source blamed regime artillery for the event. LCCSY reported one civilian died and others were wounded in Russian airstrikes.

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1400

LOCATION

كرم حومد, Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Karam Houmad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to

Summary

First published
October 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child)
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 15, 2018

Incident Code

RS1582

LOCATION

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three to four civilians died and up to dozens more were reported wounded in Masaken Hanano neighbourhood of Aleppo following suspected Russian attacks. A number of sources did not name a culprit and described the form of attack as “helicopter aircraft” or “warplane bombardment”. Midline alleged that the Syrian regime was the culprit, while @MePanorama

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS1925

LOCATION

حي الوعر, Al Waer, Homs, Syria

Four civilians were killed, including a child, and as many as 24 others were wounded in an alleged parachute missile attack on the residential neighbourhood of Al Waer, local media reported. All sources but one blamed the Syrian regime for the raid. The Shaam News Network was alone in reporting “violent raids by Assad and

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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

April 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2146

LOCATION

رسم العبد, Rasim Al-A'bid, Hama, Syria

Four civilians were killed – including a child – and as many as three more were wounded – some seriously – following an airstrike on Rasim Al-A’bid. Sources  blamed Russian warplanes for the incident. Both sources reported that the area was held by ISIS. Additionally many of the civilians residing there were displaced from Raqqa. Civilian

Summary

First published
April 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child)
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

January 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS421

LOCATION

القصابية, Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that at least four civilians including a girl and a woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired two missiles on a school in the village of Al Qassabiya. LCCSY said that four civilians from one family died as a result of Russian strikes in Al Qassabiya. Syria2011 also named these victims –

Summary

First published
January 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 woman1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3006

LOCATION

حزة , Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Between one and four civilians were killed and several were left wounded as Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes hit Hazza in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. In this poorly reported incident, some sources mentioned one fatality along with two wounded. As the only one, Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) put the death toll at four.

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
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 11, 2018

Incident Code

RS3402

LOCATION

الحميدية, al Hamidiya, Hama, Syria

Both Assad and Russian forces allegedly struck the village of al Hamidiya in the Hama countryside, according to local sources.. The attack reportedly included artillery shells as well as airstrikes. Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported: “The martyrdom of 4 civilians and wounding of others as a result of the Russian raids on the villages

Summary

First published
April 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
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

July 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS978

LOCATION

حي الشعار, Al Shia'ar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians died and 10 more were wounded in an alleged airstrike on Al Shia’ar in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. AMC reported that the Syrian regime killed four and wounded ten more. Other local

Summary

First published
July 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1010

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Artillery and warplane shelling bombarded Hryatan leaving between three to four civilians dead, local media reported. According to Halab News, Step and Al Jazeera, this was the work of the Assad regime. However, TurkArab Now blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrike. Al-Marsad News put the death toll at four. However the Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
July 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child2 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
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1088

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

On August 2nd, the raids continued in Idlib, with alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes shelling a residential neighbourhood in Sermin, killing a further four civilians, sources on the ground reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, both warplanes and helicopters carried out the strikes. The Shaam News Network (SNN) reported that this

Summary

First published
August 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1120

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maraat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Three air strikes with cluster bombs stuck the residential neighbourhood of Maarat Misrin and killed four named civilians including two children. According to Elfgr News, up to nine civilians were wounded, “some of whom were ministered to the hospital Al-Bab-Hawa border crossing”. According to the Shaam News Network, “warplane strikes” carried out by “Assad’s and

Summary

First published
August 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 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
City
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1282

LOCATION

جنات السلامة, Janat al Salama, Aleppo, Syria

Russian warplanes struck the village of Janat al Salama in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, killing four civilians, including two women, from the same family, local sources reported. Most sources used similar language to Shahed-ayan, which stated “warplanes targeted the town of Janat al Salama near the Dayr Hafir, causing the martyrdom of four people,

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 women2 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1828

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed – including a child –  and 28 more were wounded, following an alleged airstrike on Binnish, which struck a market, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming the Syrian regime, and other blaming Russia. Due to the extent of damage in the

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–28
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
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2171

LOCATION

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Ma’ar Shureen, Idlib, according to local media sources.  In keeping with other known sources that reported on this incident, Zaitoun stated: “A martyr and a number of wounded in a town in the southern Idlib countryside were killed as Russian warplanes targeted the

Summary

First published
April 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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

July 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2314

LOCATION

رسم العوابد, Rasim Al-Awabid, Hama, Syria

An alleged Russian airstrike killed up to four civilians, including two children and wounded several as the village of Rasim Al-Awad in Hama was struck from the air, local media reported. Most sources reported the death of two male children. @AlkhaleejOnline’s correspondent reported that “two children were killed and a number of wounded in an air

Summary

First published
July 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children)
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2017

Incident Code

R2279

LOCATION

وادي العذيب, Al-Atheeb Valley, Hama, Syria

Four civilians, including one woman, were killed when warplanes bombed an internally displaced persons camp in the al-Atheeb Valley near Akeirbat, in Hama Governorate. This attack on 10th September 2017 was suspected to have been carried out by Russian aircrafts. One of the survivors told RFS Media Office that the group of IDPs was stuck

Summary

First published
September 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 woman)
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

June 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3785

LOCATION

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, Syria

One to five civilians were reported killed by airstrikes on Ma’ar Shureen, Idlib, on June 10th. Both Shahba Press and Idlib Plus stated that of those initially killed, two were children, and one was a woman, and Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the death of “at least three civilians (a child, an unborn baby

Summary

First published
June 10, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
30–47
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS592

LOCATION

Liramon, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians (two women and two children) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Liramon, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said Russia was responsible. According to Halab News, Russian warplanes launched “several raids” on Liramon, resulting in the death of

Summary

First published
February 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(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
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2564

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'ah, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians of the same family, including a child and two women, were killed by airstrikes, believed to be Russian, on the town of Al-Tamana’ah on September 29th, according to local sources. The airstrikes should be seen in the context of aerial bombardments since dawn on the city of Jisr Al-Shougour and the nearby town

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1021

LOCATION

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

Four civilians died in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. There was, however, only one source (LCCSY) that pointed to possible Russian involvement. The Syrian Human Rights Committee published the names of four victims killed by “warplanes” in Deir Ezzor on July 19th, these are listed below.

Summary

First published
July 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1099

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an aerial bombardment of a school and neighbourhood in Al Atareb, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported that Russian warplanes and government helicopters were sighted in the vicinity – and that

Summary

First published
August 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3157

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Three to four civilians were killed due to injuries sustained in an earlier shelling on Douma, according to local media. Sources attributed this strike to both Russia and the Syrian regime. According to SHRC.arabic, “three people affected by the impact of a previous air strike that targeted the city of Douma in the province of

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(4 men)
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
4 named
View Incident