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

March 14, 2018

Incident Code

RS3262

LOCATION

قلعة المضيق, Qal’et Al Madik, Hama, Syria

Four civilians from one family were killed, including a man, a woman and two children, and others were injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qal’et Al Madik, local media reported. @bokraahla1984 tweeted: “Today, [March 14th] a good resident was killed with his wife, child and daughter, leaving in this life his eldest son, who did

Summary

First published
March 14, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2019

Incident Code

RS3822

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Latamina, Hama governorate, on June 19th, 2019. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, “four were killed by aerial bombardment of Al Latamina” – a figure also cited by Shaam News. The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that “Ra’fat Kallal al Saleh al Hamada

Summary

First published
June 19, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS700

LOCATION

الزعينية, Al Zou’ainiyah, Idlib, Syria

Up to four people died and at least 10 were injured when a ballistic missile hit Al Zou’ainiyah – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russian warships or the Assad regime. Alaraby reported that Russian warships stationed in the Mediterranean launched ballistic missiles on Al Zou’ainiyah, resulting in three

Summary

First published
March 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(0–2 women2–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–13
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

July 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3882

LOCATION

معرة حرمة, Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Two to four civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on a camp for displaced people in Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, on July 10th. Syrian Network for Human Rights states that “Mahmoud Mohammad al Ali, a member of Civil Defense- Kafr Zita center – was killed along with his daughter Yasmin as warplanes we believe were Russian

Summary

First published
July 10, 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 child1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS958

LOCATION

المسرب, Al Masreb, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed in airstrikes on the village al-Mashreb, reported local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Most sources, including Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, al-AMAWI, Baladi News and the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
June 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Incident Code

RS3084

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria

Up to four civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed and several were left injured, local media reported, following aerial and artillery shelling of Kafar Zeita, Hama, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime. While most sources reported that the town in the countryside of Hama had been struck by air

Summary

First published
February 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1273

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed by shelling from Assad’s forces on the city of Talbisah, local sources said. Two casualties were identified by name, a child and a woman. Eldorar News stated that three civilians were killed, while RozanaFM stated “at least two women” died from regime shells. All4Syria News named five total

Summary

First published
September 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1612

LOCATION

الصالحين, Al Salheen, Aleppo, Syria

Between three and four civilians died, and two children were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Saheen, Aleppo – though it was unclear whether the Syrian regime or Russian forces were responsible for the event. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, tweeting that two children were wounded “as a result of the bombing of

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1705

LOCATION

المرجة, Al Marja neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and four civilians died and more were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo’s Marja neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. But Alsharq pointed to the regime, reporting: “The Syrian Air Force continued to launch intensive air strikes accompanied by heavy artillery shelling on the neighborhoods of

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1807

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed – including three children and one woman reportedly from the same family – and up to 19 were wounded in an airstrike on a primary school in Arbeen, local media said. Three belligerents were reportedly sighted, meaning there is confusion among sources as to who is responsible. Two

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–19
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2281

LOCATION

العلباوي, Al A'lbawi, Hama, Syria

A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that “a number of civilians were killed and wounded by shelling of warplanes likely to be Russian to a village controlled by the Islamic State Organisation, east of Hama city, central Syria”. It added that, “the aircraft bombed civilian houses in the village of Al-Albawi, east of

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children)
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2623

LOCATION

صبيخان, Sabikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to four civilians, including one woman and two children, were killed and several were wounded following aerial and ground shelling of Sabikhan village, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Without identifying the culprit, Euphrates Post reported that Sabikhan

Summary

First published
October 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(2 children1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS327

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Three to four civilians including one child were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that it was the second day in a row that Russian  warplanes killed non-combatants in the city and said that three had died in bombing raids carried out by “tens of Russian aircraft

Summary

First published
December 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS455

LOCATION

تدمر, Bal el Hawa or Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Three to four civilians including two children and possibly one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Bab el Hawa and Sarmada, according to two local sources.

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2 children0–1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS551

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Four civilians included one child died in raids on Talbiseh, according to local sources. While the majority alleged that Russia was responsible, one source – Smart – says the deaths occurred as the result of shelling by Assad regime artillery. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes have been carrying out

Summary

First published
February 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
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

March 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS711

LOCATION

شنهصة, Shahnasa village, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians died in an alleged Russian strike on the village of Shahnasa, according to local sources. HNN named Karim Hussein al-Abdullah as a victim and said three more unidentified people were killed in a Russian strike. DCHRS also named Karim Hussein al-Abdullah and added that three unidentified victims died. It too blamed

Summary

First published
March 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(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

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1414

LOCATION

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

According to local sources, the Khan al-Assal area in Aleppo was subject to warplane shelling, leading to the deaths of up to three civilians though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime caused the civilian harm. The twitter account @Aleppo reported that the strikes hit a funeral gathering. Meanwhile, the Syrian

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1727

LOCATION

حي كرم البيك , Karam al Bayk neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

AleppoAMC reported that three civilians died in “air and artillery shelling” in Aleppo’s Karam al Bayk neighbourhood – but didn’t specify the culprit of the civilian harm. According to LCCSY, “by the end of Tuesday 29/11/2016 the LCCSY documented the deaths of 85 martyrs in Syria including 16 children and 10 women: 54 martyrs in Aleppo

Summary

First published
November 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1746

LOCATION

جسر الحج, Jisr al Haji area, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisr al Haji area, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Halab News Network first tweeted that the Syrian regime were to blame for using both artillery shells and rocket launchers on the vicinity. It later posted on their Facebook page that three civilians

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS1877

LOCATION

حي القابون, Al Qaboun neighbourhood, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians were reportedly killed and 16 more injured in an airstrike on al Qaboun, Damascus, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Assad’s regime or Russia were responsible. Geroun News who put the death toll at one and 15 injured, reported that: “Russian fighter jets launched four air raids

Summary

First published
February 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–16
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

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2048

LOCATION

بعربو, Ba'arbo, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including two women and a female child, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the town of Ba’arbo in the southern countryside of Idlib. At the time of their death, the civilians that were killed were riding in a car. According to @Omar_Madaniah, the civilians

Summary

First published
March 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2469

LOCATION

قرية التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians including two women died while working at an obstetrics hospital in Al Tah as alleged Russian and Syrian warplanes bombarded the countryside of southern Idlib, local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one death; it stated: “Suspected Russian warplanes fired a missile on the al Rahman Charity

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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

July 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS3902

LOCATION

الجيسات, Al Jesat, Hama, Syria

Up to three civilians were killed and four others injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike. According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, they were killed in their place of work on agricultural land in the vicinity of Al Jesat. Syrian Network for Human Rights added that “Syrian regime forces fired Kornet missile

Summary

First published
July 13, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS980

LOCATION

جندول, Jandol (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Russian warplanes and Syrian Regime helicopters allegedly shelled a roundabout in Al Jandol killing three civilians, according to Halab News Network and Syrian Network for Human Rights. Several local news sources including Step News, Halab Today and Sky News blamed Russian warplanes for the shelling. Additionally, local source syriapost1 reported the use of “phosphorous bombs”. Ara

Summary

First published
July 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3993

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmin, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly killed and three others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmin, Hama governorate, on August 6th, 2019, according to local sources. One source reported civilian deaths in Latmin. According to Baladi News, “three [civilians] were killed in a Russian bombardment on the town of Latmin in the northern

Summary

First published
August 6, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

August 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1198

LOCATION

أورم الصغرى, Orm al Sughra, Aleppo, Syria

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 3 victims died in alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Orm Al Sughra town in Aleppo governorate, August 29.” AMC, Alwatan, @SyriaFnn and @Syria_Pulse reported that three civilians died and several more were wounded in “four strikes with cluster bombs”, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Summary

First published
August 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1262

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

A mother and her two female children were killed and several more civilians wounded in airstrikes on western neighbourhoods of Idlib city, local media said. All but two sources blamed Russia. Baladi and MapnewsAR reported Regime warplanes were responsible. According to MapnewsAR, as many as ten civilians died in the strikes. According to the Shaam

Summary

First published
September 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1521

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى , Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including one woman and one child, were killed and up to six others were wounded by airstrikes fired on Urma Al Kubra town. Russian warplanes were identified as responsible for the airstrikes by most local media sources, including Local Coordination Committees, @ShahbaPress and Syrian Network for Human Rights. However, Muslm

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1797

LOCATION

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

On December 27, 2016, as many as three civilians, including a child, were killed, and several others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes which occured near the Shuaib Mosque, in the densely populated residential neighborhood of Al-Qusour, in the west of the city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria. All sources attributed blame to Russia for

Summary

First published
December 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS1933

LOCATION

ترملا, Tramla, Idlib, Syria

Three members of one family were killed – including a father, daughter and granddaughter – and others were wounded, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tramla, local media reported. All sources except Idlib Media Centre – who said the regime was responsible – attributed blame to Russia.  According to sources, a vacuum

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident