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 29, 2019

Incident Code

RS3736

LOCATION

الهبيط, Al Habit, Idlib, Syria

At least three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. @NagiNajjar reported that “three civilian men were martyred as a result of an airstrike by the warplanes of the Assad forces on the outskirts of the town

Summary

First published
May 29, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3 men)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2991

LOCATION

مديرا, Mdyra, Damascus, Syria

Up to four civilians, including up to two children and one woman, were killed following alleged Assad or Russian-waged aerial shelling and/or missile attacks of Mdyra, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. According to local reports, the incident in Mdyra was one out of many that day in eastern Ghouta. According to the Syrian Observatory

Summary

First published
February 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–2 children1 woman)
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 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS490

LOCATION

نحليا, Nahlia, Idlib, Syria

In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that two civilians were killed and a number more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Nahlia. Radio Al Kul placed the death toll at four.  

Summary

First published
January 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
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

July 9, 2019

Incident Code

RS3879

LOCATION

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

According to local sources, alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp with four rockets in the outskirts of the town of Deir Al Sharqi in rural Idlib, killing up to five civilians and wounding up to 15. @ShahbaPress tweeted: “Three civilians were killed, including children, and at least ten wounded,

Summary

First published
July 9, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–3 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–15
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3066

LOCATION

الأفتريس, al-Aftis, Damascus, Syria

As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, four civilians were killed and up to “dozens” more wounded as Russia, possibly in cooperation with the Assad regime, carried out airstrikes in al-Aftis, Damascus, local media reported. All sources, who provided a death toll, reported that four civilians were killed. While some, such

Summary

First published
February 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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

February 27, 2018

Incident Code

RS3122

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and others were injured in air and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Sources reported that there were both rocket launchers and artillery shelling on the residential neighbourhood. Alaraby reported that “the regime renewed it’s shelling

Summary

First published
February 27, 2018
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1276

LOCATION

جنات السلامة, Janat al Salama, Aleppo, Syria

Three children and one or two women, reportedly from the same family, were killed in the village of Janat al Salama, in the countryside of eastern Aleppo, according to local media. All sources but one blamed Russia for the event. The majority of reports agreed Russian warplanes were to blame. Shahbapress, for example, referred to

Summary

First published
September 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1–2 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1406

LOCATION

باتبو, Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians including one child and two women died and up to nine more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the city of Batbo in Aleppo, according to local media. Halab News Network reported that there had been “four martyrs including two women after Russian planes targeted Batbo, in the

Summary

First published
October 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1527

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Three or four civilians were killed and up to six more were injured in cluster bomb airstrikes launched against the town of Kafr Naha in the Aleppo countryside. The majority of local sources, including Akhbaralaan News and Micro News, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes while other sources did not identify who was to blame.

Summary

First published
November 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1638

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and as many as 15 more were injured following airstrikes targeting al-Fardous, Aleppo, local sources reported.  The sources were, however, not clear as to whether the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame for the strikes. Sources reported that between two and four

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children1 woman)
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2414

LOCATION

الجابرية , Al-Jabriya, Homs, Syria

Three to four civilians were reportedly killed and others injured in an airstrike in Al-Jabriya in the eastern Homs countryside. Several sources, including the head of the local district, Ahmed Hamwi, accused Russian warplanes of carrying out the attack. Zaman Masdar reported that the shelling took place between the villages of Al-Abd, Hamdi Omar, Suha,

Summary

First published
September 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
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

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2552

LOCATION

جديد بكارة , Jadid Bkara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A total of four civilians including a child and two women were killed in raids by warplanes as well as artillery bombardments on the town of Jadid Bkara on September 28th, according to local sources. The reporting mentioned both the regime forces and the Russian forces as responsible for the bombardments. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS104

LOCATION

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four named civilians were killed in a reported Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Hamidiya. The Violations Documentation Center named the victims, all adult males.    

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
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

November 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS136

LOCATION

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reported the death of four non-combatants, including three children, following alleged shelling by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three civilians including two children died in the strike. VDC has published the four victims by names.    

Summary

First published
November 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 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

May 1, 2019

Incident Code

RS3640

LOCATION

عابدين, Abidin, Idlib, Syria

Up to four civilians died including women and children in alleged Russia and/or regime airstrikes on a car fleeing Abdin, local media reported. Sources reported that an initial strike destroyed homes and that residents attempting to flee in a car were then hit. According to Smart News, a total of six civilians including two women

Summary

First published
May 1, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
3
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
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS3833

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين الثاني, Rif Al Muhandisin Al Thani, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians including a little girl were killed when airstrikes struck Rif Al Muhandisin Al Thani, in the countryside of west of Aleppo on June 21st, 2019. Syrian Human Rights Commission named the girl killed as Aya al-Satouf. Up to eight civilians were also allegedly wounded, including children. According to Step News, the civilians were

Summary

First published
June 21, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child3 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–8
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

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS725

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

According to the Shaam News Network: “four people were killed when Russian enemy planes targeted a civilian transport vehicle on the road from Palmyra to Deir Ezzor.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that “four people were killed from the same family when the Russian warplane targeted their truck (which is a refrigerated

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1476 RS2434

LOCATION

Khisham town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local reports documented four civilians killed in airstrikes on Khisham town,13 kilometres east of Deir Ghaza, eastern Deir Ezzor. Euphrates Post referred to “warplanes” and alleged that they targeted “the house of Awad al-Azar in the town of Khisham, opposite the divider, killing four people and wounding many civilians yesterday evening”, though they did not

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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

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

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1671

LOCATION

‏خان شيخون‬, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Multiple sources reported that aerial bombardment in the city of Khan Sheikun, Idlib killed at least three civilians, including two to three children, and wounded up to seven more – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights,

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS1781

LOCATION

جسر الحج, Jisr al-Haj, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians were killed and several more were wounded by air or artillery strikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, on Jisr Al Haj, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most sources reported the death of one man, while others merely referred to “several” victims. Halab News gave the highest death

Summary

First published
December 10, 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1911

LOCATION

ام تينة , Umm Tine village, Maskana, Aleppo, Syria

Four victims (one adult male, one adult female and two children) were named by the VDC as killed by Russia in Umm Tine village, Maskana. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, reporting: “three civilians, including a girl and her mother, died when Syrian regime artillery shells fired on Om Tena village

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
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

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2081

LOCATION

الضاهرية, Dahiriya, Idlib, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Dahiriya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Sources were conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were women or girls. For example, AMC reported two women were killed, whereas Al Jazeera reported two girls were killed. It cannot be ruled

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(0–2 children0–2 women)
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

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2154

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A family including three girls and a woman were killed, and 25 or more civilians were reportedly wounded, in an airstrike on Darat Izza, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russian warplanes. AMC did not attribute blame, but tweeted that a “military aircraft” struck the

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2–3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–25
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2229

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Three or four civilians were killed – three from one family – and others were wounded, when an airstrike hit a residential neighbourhood, farm and water-tank in Akeirbat, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources such as Baladi news, blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes, while the Syrian Network for

Summary

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child1 woman1 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2602

LOCATION

العشارة, Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed, including between two and three men, and several others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al-A’shara. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes, though some did not attribute any blame. The raids allegedly occurred during a bombardement of water crossings “in the towns and cities of Al-A’shara, the Hajin, and

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2–3 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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2684 CS1666a

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes according to local media, as well as a report by the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, one source reported “We do not know whether the bombing is Russian or Coalition”. Many other sources blamed the International Coalition for the strikes. Some sources blamed Iraqi airstrikes,

Summary

First published
November 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS083

LOCATION

البوابية, Buwaybiyah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including a young girl were reported killed following heavy airstrikes at Al Bawabye which were widely attributed to Russia. The White Helmets reported that “Civil defence teams pulled out 4 martyrs in Al Bawabiya.” The Violations Documentation Center later named three fatalities.    

Summary

First published
October 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS384

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike by Russian warplanes on Maskanah, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident