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

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1201

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including a child and a woman died and as many as 19 others were injured in strikes on Idlib, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One source reported the use of regime warships in the attacks, while several

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–19
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1810

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed – including a man and a woman and a child – and many more were wounded, in alleged air and artillery strikes on Harasta. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, except LCCSY who blamed Russian warplanes.  According to sources, the artillery and air bombardment targeted a school and residential

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2269

LOCATION

رسم العالي, Rasim Al Aa’li village, Akeirbat area, Hama, Syria

Local sources reported that an alleged Russian warplane struck the village of Rasim Al Aa’li in the Akeirbat region in eastern Hama by warplanes, killing three civilians and injuring three civilians.  Smart News reported that a woman and two children were killed and that another three civilians were wounded, some of whom were in critical

Summary

First published
June 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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

May 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2258

LOCATION

العقيربات حمادة عمر , Hamada Omar near Al Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Three civilian deaths and several injuries were reported as a result of airstrikes on the village of Hama Omar in Hama Governorate on the 26th of May 2017, an area under the control of the Islamic State (Daesh). It is unclear who was to blame for these airstrikes; sources pointed at the Russians and the

Summary

First published
May 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3725

LOCATION

سفوهن, Sufwhan, Idlib, Syria

A man and two women were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Sufwhen, Idlib governorate, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to five civilians, including a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer, were reportedly injured. Shahba Press claimed that one woman had been killed and an unknown number of others were injured

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3789

LOCATION

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians, a mother and her three children, were reported killed and other civilians injured as a result of heavy artillery in Al Zirba, Aleppo, June 10th. Local sources said the victims belong to the same family. Syria Civil Defense stated that “a woman and her two children were killed in Al Zirba”

Summary

First published
June 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS651

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

One to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib, according to local sources. Siryahora reported that “three warplanes fired thermobaric missiles resulting death of three people and several injuries, most serious“, though didn’t identify the warplanes. Step also said three died and that one was “burned” while many were injured

Summary

First published
February 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS747

LOCATION

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

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike in Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that three civilians died when “Russian planes targeted al Sina’a, Huwaija Sakr and the area around the military airport with more than 15 raids since the morning after an attack was carried out

Summary

First published
April 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS811

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched two air rocket cluster bombs on agricultural land in Ltamenah in the northern countryside of Hama.” They said that some farmers had been injured, but provided no further details. Qasioun also blamed Russia. Syrian PC News and All4Syria News (which blamed ‘regime artillery shelling’) reported that there were two civilians

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS876

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one woman died and six others were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or the Syrian regime. According to an initial report by LCCSY, three civilians including a woman were killed and several others injured in Russian

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2019

Incident Code

RS3895

LOCATION

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

Three civilians including two children were reported killed and up to eight others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces on Ma’aret Al-Nu’man on July 12th, 2019 according to local sources. One of the victims, a child, was identified as Ammar Muhammad Al-Hassoun, aged 12. Another source named him Ammar Mohammed Hassan Almshish. Alleged

Summary

First published
July 12, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
7–8
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS908

LOCATION

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian news desk reported that three civilians were killed in an overnight offensive on Castello Road. The people killed were travelling down this road in a car, according to this source and others. The Syrian news desk reported that  victims had been unable to evacuate the area during the daytime ‘due to regime troops

Summary

First published
June 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS973

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Three children died and seven more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Reports said ‘the national hospital in Jisr al Shoughour’ or ‘a field hospital’ was struck, along with the Sakan Al-Shababi

Summary

First published
July 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Incident Code

RS3235

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

A family were – a man, his wife, and their baby girl – died and others wounded in airstrikes on Saqba, local media reported. Sources mostly attributed the blame to Russia, however VDC blamed the Syrian/Russian alliance. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence pulled the bodies of the family form the rubble of their home.

Summary

First published
March 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2751

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians were killed by airstrikes, possibly supplemented by artillery shelling, in Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though the apportion of blame was unclear. While all reports agreed that three civilians were killed in this event, they disagreed in terms of cause and responsibility. While Step News Agency, Violations Documentation Center Syria and Masar Press

Summary

First published
November 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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, Iraq Government Forces, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2018

Incident Code

RS2769

LOCATION

العباس و هجين, al-Abbas and Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one and as many as three civilians were killed in an airstrike in the al-Abbas/ Hajeen crossing in al Bukamal, local sources reported, though it was unclear who was to blame. Step News Agency put the death toll at three while the others reported one male fatality, identified by name in multiple reports.

Summary

First published
November 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Incident Code

RS4015

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on August 13th, 2019, according to local sources. Eight others were injured. Two of the injured victims, including a child, passed away on August 18th due to the injuries they sustained in the strikes. Step Agency reported that “Russian

Summary

First published
August 13, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
6
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
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1147

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Three named civilians including a baby girl died and several more were wounded in a strike on Talbissa, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network reported that “a baby girl died as a result of warplanes carrying out

Summary

First published
August 14, 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 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

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2197

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed and up to 20 other civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian missile strikes on the town of Sarmin, local media reported. Sources on the ground reported two others were killed by land-to-land cluster bombs. A total of three died and 10 were wounded as a result of Syrian ballistic

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2015

Incident Code

RS020 CS133

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Two children and a 46 year old male were reported killed during four alleged Russian strikes in the evening on Anadan. Another man was also named as a victim by VDC. Eyewitnesses described at least one secondary, or ‘double tap’ strike. A local medic told Qassioun: “Between the afternoon and evening Russian planes carried out intensive

Summary

First published
October 6, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children2 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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3659

LOCATION

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ma’aret Hrema in Idlib, local media reported, adding that cluster bombs have been used in the attack. According to Smart News, both Russia and the Syrian regime forces were to blame for killing one

Summary

First published
May 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2019

Incident Code

RS3741

LOCATION

الزيادية, Al Ziyadiya, Idlib, Syria

Three men were killed and up to six others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Ziyadiya, Idlib governorate, on May 31st, 2019, according to local sources. The village of Ziyadiya was struck by artillery shelling believed to have been carried out by the Syrian regime forces from

Summary

First published
May 31, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
6
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3436

LOCATION

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Smart News Agency reported that three civilians, among them one child and a woman, were killed after alleged Russian airstrikes on Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus governorate, on May 19th 2018. Smart wrote that “two women, one old, and one child were killed by the shelling that targeted a residential basement in the camp. [Local activists]

Summary

First published
May 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2433

LOCATION

موحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between one and three men were killed in airstrikes on Mohassein, local media reported. Sources all attributed the blame to Russia or “military aircraft”. Airwars researchers believe that Hamza Mahmoud al-Fathi al-Nasser was possibly a militant, however we are unclear so have left him in the death count. In addition to this, sources claim that

Summary

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

Incident date

June 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS855

LOCATION

هورة الجريات, Horat al Jariyat, Raqqa, Syria

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, two civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Horat al Jariya. The Shaam News Network also blamed Russia, but did not provide casualty numbers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

Summary

First published
June 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1659 RS2670

LOCATION

السيال, Al Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Several civilians – including a woman and a child – reportedly died in an airstrike on al Sayyal, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. Al Hall pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at two with nine more

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
9
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1352

LOCATION

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

Between one and three civilians were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Khan Al Assal, a village west of Aleppo. LCCSY reported: “One dead and a number of wounded civilians due to Russian aircraft targeting Khan Al Assal in the western countryside with cluster bombs.” Later, it also

Summary

First published
September 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman)
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

November 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1537

LOCATION

البلليرمون, Al Baleirmoon, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilian were killed and others were wounded in cluster bomb attacks against Al Leirmoun town in northern Aleppo. Thiqa News pointed out that this incident was part of a fierce Russian campaign which struck parts of Aleppo with no regard for the civilians in this vicinity.  Local sources, including Baladi News

Summary

First published
November 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(0–2 children1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1646

LOCATION

ارض الحمرا, Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were reportedly killed and several more were left wounded following two airstrikes targeting Ard al-Hamra, Aleppo, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Syrian regime as the culprit while

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident