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

February 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS535

LOCATION

شتل الزيارة, Jetal Zratah, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians including one child were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jetal Zratah. Kasstal Jendo Afrin reported “the death of two Kurdish civilians” and named the same victims, who it said were father and daughter. They died following an “aerial bombardment” launched by Russian aircraft. Eldorar Alshamia reported that Russian warplanes targeting Jetal

Summary

First published
February 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child0–1 women1 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

May 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS791

LOCATION

ياقد العدس, Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians from the same family including one woman and one child died in “suspected” Russian shelling on Yaqid al Adas. Multiple other sources also reported that a man and his wife were killed. Some said that the child was seriously injured, others put the death toll at three:

Summary

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

Incident date

February 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3042

LOCATION

كفربطنا , Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians, two men and one woman, were killed and several were left wounded as Kafar Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to air and artillery shelling as reported by local media. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Damas Press, who did not identify a culprit, reported

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS920

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and three civilians including two children died in an airstrike on Urma al Kubra, according to local media. The majority of sources including RadioAlKul and QasiounNewsAR blamed Russia. Other sources such as Alburak News have not identified the planes, though they said that “cluster bombs” had been used in the attack. The two

Summary

First published
June 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1017

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Various sources reported that airstrikes on a residential area in Kafr Hama, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians, including one boy. BBC Arabic filed a report which read, “according to opposition source, Russian warplanes launched extensive shelling in Kafr Hamra”. Meanwhile, al Jazeera reported that both Russian and Assad regime warplanes were launching missiles in the

Summary

First published
July 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2019

Incident Code

RS3953

LOCATION

كفروما, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians, including at least one child, were reported killed and 10 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on civilian homes in the town of Kafarouma, Idlib governorate, on July 25th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported that “three people were killed and several wounded when

Summary

First published
July 25, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
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
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1127

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Airstrikes reportedly destroyed a Pediatrics and Gynecology hospital on 12th August 2016 in Kafr Hamra. At least three civilians were killed, and seven or more wounded, mostly members of a medical staff, women, or children. Some of the personnel working in the hospital were affected; both a nurse and an ambulance driver were killed in

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 man)
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1419

LOCATION

الظاهرية, Al Zhahiria, Idlib, Syria

Three children died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al-Zhahiria village, according to local media. According to LCCSY, “three children were martyred as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric missile attacks on #Zhahiria village in the western suburb”. This claim was repeated by many other sources. There was no information available on the identity

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1539

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed, including one woman and two children, and others were injured in airstrikes which struck Urma al Kubra town in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Both children were found buried in rubble by the Civil Defence team following the raids. Local sources, including Halab News and Assakina News, identified Russian

Summary

First published
November 6, 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
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS1941

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airstrikes on the town of Hajjin in Deir Ezzor reportedly killed at least one four-year old girl and critically wounded several other civilians – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strike. With the exception of the Step News Agency, who reported as many as three civilian

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1952

LOCATION

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed – and others were wounded – in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood in Anadan, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes, however the White Helmets was one of a few who attributed blame to the Syrian

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 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
1 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2158

LOCATION

أم توينة, Um Tuweyna, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that Russian warplanes bombed Um Tuweyna, killing three civilians – including a child – and seriously wounding two others. Smart reported that the village was controlled by the Islamic State. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

November 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2696

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three children were killed due to air and artillery strikes in Abu Kamal. Sources reported that both Russia and the Syrian regime were to blame. It is clear that the raids were either Russian or Syrian regime and artillery shelling was also used in the raid. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the

Summary

First published
November 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Incident Code

RS3685

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Hama, Syria

Up to three civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Heesh on May 8th, 2019, according to local sources. Four others were reportedly injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians, including a woman, man and the girl Hanaa Jawhar al Saeed,

Summary

First published
May 8, 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
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3004

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

According to local reports, three civilians, most likely two children and one woman, were killed and up to dozens were wounded as Russian and/or Assad warplanes launched air raids in Saqba town in eastern Ghouta, Damascus. The strikes, which Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) described as “heavy night raids”, left large parts of the

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1–2 children1 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

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS578

LOCATION

مارع, Mare', Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one woman died and ten others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mare’ according to local sources. The Violations Documentation Center named two adult males and one adult female as killed in a Russian airstrike on Mare’. The White Helmets said warplanes targeted the town with a vacuum missile, injuring

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

February 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS610

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed and several others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, according to a single source. Shaam News Network said that “Russian aggression targeted several placed in the city several raids and then artillery targeted markets and public roads.” It added that “the bombardment also targeted one of the Central Ambulance

Summary

First published
February 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

February 17, 2018

Incident Code

RS3030

LOCATION

حزانو, Hazano, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians, all children, were killed and as many as seven, including women and children, were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck the village of Hazano, Idlib, local media reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that the air raids had hit “near al Kabir Mosque in Hazano village” Like the

Summary

First published
February 17, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–3 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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

June 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS899

LOCATION

حي ‫‏صلاح الدين, Salahudin (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between one and three civilians including a woman died and up to 17 more were injured in an airstrike on Salahudin, though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Orient, LCCSY, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Press Cente all blamed Russia. Ara News said that the regime was

Summary

First published
June 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–17
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

September 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1364

LOCATION

البويهج, Al Bohij, Aleppo, Syria

Two or three members of the White Helmets were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bohij near Manbij, Aleppo. According to LCCSY, two civilians died in the attack.Qasioun, the Shaam News Network and Halab News said that three members of the Civil Defense were killed. Halab News identified the names of  all

Summary

First published
September 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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

January 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1848

LOCATION

رسم العيس , Rasm al ais, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Rasm al ais, according to local media. Halab News listed three unidentified civilian fatalties – and blamed Russia for their deaths. @RFS_NORTH, @Syrianaffairs1 and LCCSY also pointed to Russia.

Summary

First published
January 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS1999

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including one child were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Sajna, according to local media sources. All of the sources who attributed responsibility for the event stated that it was Russian warplanes that struck Kafr Sajna that day. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “suspected Russian

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2043

LOCATION

جبل الشيخ, Jabal al Sheikh, Aleppo, Syria

At least three people were killed in airstrikes against Jabal al Sheikh in the Aleppo governorate, local media said, It was unclear whether those that were killed were militants or civilians. According to Halab Today TV, the airstrikes were carried out by Russia planes. However, only one source reported on the incident.

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2555

LOCATION

المعزولة, Al-Ma'zola village, Idlib, Syria

Up to three civilians including a woman and her husband died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Al-Ma’zola, loval media reported. The Step News Agency reported the death of a woman – and blamed Russia. However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “a woman and her husband killed in Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS204

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed, and five to six injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Maarat al Numan, according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network said the raid targeted the only water well in the town – at a time when a number of citizens were using the facility. It posted

Summary

First published
November 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS269

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed and 20 injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Al Bab. Up to 10 ISIL militants were also reported killed. Media activist Nassim Al Shamali said Russian warplanes launched several raid with cluster bombs on Daesh-occupied Al Bab, targeting al Noveaute street, Dowar al Manshie and several other

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 man)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS621

LOCATION

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria

Up to three civilians including one girl and two women were killed in an airstrike on Garnata according to two local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime carried out the attack. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out air raids

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

RS3069

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamalaka, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians were killed and several were wounded as Zamalaka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to air strikes and helicopter bombings, carried out by either Russia, the Assad regime, or both, as reported by local media. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on Friday, February 23rd, Zamalaka was not excepted from the

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2268

LOCATION

رسم الطويل , Rasim Al-Tawil in Jab Al Jarah, Homs, Syria

Smart News reported that civilian housing in the village of Rasim Al-Tawil was struck by an aerial bombardment of warplanes, likely to be Russian. Three civilians were reported killed and five others were reported wounded, amongst them women and children. There are no other details at this time.  

Summary

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

Incident date

June 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2270 CS919a

LOCATION

موحسن , Mohsen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the killing of Mohamad Amla Al Fals Abu Ammar and his daughter Wafa Amla Al Fals on Sunday June 4th, as warplanes struck his residence in the village of Muhasan in rural Deir Ezzor. Some sources also mentioned the wounding of other members of his family. The sources disagreed on the nationality

Summary

First published
June 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 woman1 man)
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, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident