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

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS388

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

An early morning airstrike killed four civilians including two women, with most sources blaming Russia. However the Damascus Centre said the regime was responsible.  

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(0–2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3826

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike when an ambulance from the non-governmental organisation Violet was targeted near Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on June 20th, 2019, according to local sources. At least two others were wounded. Of those killed, three were reportedly paramedics, transporting a woman

Summary

First published
June 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 woman3 men)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS901

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and four civilians including one woman died and several others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Urma al Kubra, according to local sources. Most sources blamed Russia for the strike, putting the death toll at four. According to @ShahbaPress, “two Palestinians were killed and wounded, including a woman in a Russian bombardment

Summary

First published
June 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS3182

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources attributed blamed to both Russia and the Syrian regime. @KumaitAgency reported that “Many civilians were injured by Russian raids and a missile and artillery bombardment of the Assad forces on the town

Summary

First published
March 7, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS1205

LOCATION

الزعفرانة, Zafarana, Homs, Syria

Up to four civilians including a child and one woman died in airstrikes on Zafarana, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the attacks. The majority of sources, including Yaarabaladeli9, Step News Agency, Alghad Alsoury, and NabdSyria, blamed Russia. Baladi, also blaming

Summary

First published
September 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–6
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1270

LOCATION

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians of whom between two or four were children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafer, Aleppo, local media reported. Halab News said that the four victims were from the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari. According to LCCSY, “warplanes, believed to be Russian, launched several airstrikes on Abu Souseh village, which

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2–4 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1399

LOCATION

الهلّك, Hallak, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians died in an incident in Hallak, Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether they were killed by Russian or regime strikes or by a sniper.  According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 4 civilians including a woman were killed by suspected Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
October 4, 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, Kurdish Forces
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1656

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and four civilians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Al Fardous neighbourhood, although local sources were conflicted as to whether Russian or regime planes were responsible. According to sources such as @ShahbaPress and @AleppoAMC, explosive barrel bombs were dropped in the attack. The

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2214

LOCATION

شنداخيان جنوبي, Shandakhiyat Janoubi, Homs, Syria

In this single-source event, an alleged Russian airstrike killed four civilians, including one woman, and seriously wounded another three in Shandakhiyat Janoubi, Homs, Smart News Agency reported. Smart News added that the wounded were taken to hospitals in Deir Ezzor, which at the time was controlled by ISIS. There are currently no further details available.

Summary

First published
May 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS077

LOCATION

الشيخ بركة, Sheikh Barakeh, Idlib, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory, “suspected Russian warplanes attacked the village of al-Sheikh Barakah in the township of Sinjar in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing a woman and [her] two children while other civilians were seriously wounded.” A third child died a fews days later of her injuries. The centre of the village was

Summary

First published
October 25, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(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
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS239

LOCATION

المغيرية, Mughayriyah, Latakia, Syria

Four civilians were reported killed and several others injured, including women and children, when Russian warplanes allegedly “launched scores of strikes on residential areas”, according to the Shaam News Network. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS367

LOCATION

حوش الصالحية, Al Hoash, Damascus, Syria

Four to five civilians were killed – and many wounded – in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Hoash Al Salhiya, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN referred to the incident as “a new massacre to be added to the series of daily massacres committed by the Russian aggression in the cities and towns of

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3899

LOCATION

كفريا, Kafriya, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Syrian or Russian airstrike struck the village of Kafriya in the morning of July 13th, according to local sources. The strike led to the death of three civilians (and a fetus) who seem to be from the same family. A man, his child and a pregnant woman who were displaced were reported killed

Summary

First published
July 13, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–11
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2019

Incident Code

RS4021

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians were reported killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on August 14th. Step Agency tweeted that “three civilians, including a woman, have been killed and others injured due to raids targeting the city of Ma’ret Al Nu’man, south of Idlib.” Meanwhile Shaam News and

Summary

First published
August 14, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 woman2 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1507

LOCATION

بارة, Bara, Idlib, Syria

Three or four civilians included women and children died in an airstrikes on Bara, according to local media. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime; there were no direct allegations against Russia, but a number of sources didn’t identify the warplane responsible. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “three victims including two women died

Summary

First published
October 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1775

LOCATION

الانصاري, al-Ansari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that air or artillery strikes killed up four civilians as they struck the neighbourhood of al-Ansari, Aleppo. The responsible belligerent was, however, unclear with one source pointing to the Syrian regime and another two attributing the incident to Russia. The incident was reportedly part of a larger aerial shelling of Aleppo, that in

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
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

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS1874

LOCATION

قصر البريج , Qasr al Bureij village, south east al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians from one family died and three more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qasr al Bureij village, south east al Bab, according to multiple local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “four civilians, including two children and a woman, died in suspected Russian warplanes”.

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman)
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

March 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS1945

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians, possibly two children and two women, and up to nine more in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Maskanah, local media reported. Two of the victims were reportedly female children. One source added that two women also died when their home was struck. The number of wounded varied among the sources,

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
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 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

November 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2759

LOCATION

العباس, al Abbas river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that Russian warplanes struck “Hajeen village and the crossing of the village of Abbas al-Nahari east of Deir al-Zour, [with] several raids, killing 4 civilians.” There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
November 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1356

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

LCCSY reported four dead civilians as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo. It added that “some people were wounded.” Currently there is no more information available.

Summary

First published
September 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1389

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Sheikh Faress neighbourhood, according to local media. Information was sparse but al-Hayat reported that “according to the Syrian Observatory, two children were killed in Sheikh Fares due to warplanes shelling” while Halab News Network reported that the

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1518

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians died and between four and ten were wounded after a series of three cluster missile attacks were carried out against the city of Maarat Misrin, according to local media. The majority of sources have assigned responsibility to Syrian regime planes but LCCSY and Syria Idlib Today alleged that Russian warplanes carried out the

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
Geolocation
City
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