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 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1082

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

According to Syria News Desk, “three media opposition activists were killed yesterday while covering the fighting south of Aleppo, one of them a reporter for Step News agency. They were killed as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the building they were inside.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
August 2, 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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2019

Incident Code

RS4051

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

A Turkish military convoy crewed by civilian personnel came under air attack from regime forces (or possibly Russian) – leading to the reported deaths of up to three civilians and the injuring of a further 12. According to some sources, the convoy appeared to be attempting to deliver heavy armour including tanks and armoured personnel

Summary

First published
August 19, 2019
Last updated
April 8, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
City
Belligerents reported killed
1
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1308

LOCATION

الحوطة, Al Houta, Aleppo, Syria

Two children and a woman died in strikes on the village of Al Houta, outside Aleppo, local sources reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. @thiqanewsagency identified the names of three victims, two children and one woman.  Other sources, including @SyriaPulse  @SyrianFNN and @DaretezzaMedia,

Summary

First published
September 22, 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1684

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Up to three civilians including two children were killed and as many as 15 more were wounded following airstrikes targeting Douma, Damascus, local media reported. Sources were unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Most sources reported that the incident led to the death of three civilians, with several reports saying that two children

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS1856

LOCATION

قحطان, Kahtan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians from the same family were killed when an alleged Russian raid struck civilian homes near a hospital in Kahtan. Only one on the ground source – Euphrates Post –  reported on this incident, and it blamed Russian warplanes. It alleged that the homes near Kahtan hospital were struck which led to the collapse of an

Summary

First published
January 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS1965a

LOCATION

قريتي دالية وسوحا, Suha and Abu Dalia villages, Hama, Syria

Between two and three civilians were killed, including a woman, and as many as “dozens” more were injured following an alleged Russian raid on the villages of Suha and Abu Dalia, local media said. @B_ALHAMAWI was the only source to blame Russian warplanes; the other sources do not attribute any blame. According to @HalabTodayTV, two raids that

Summary

First published
March 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2720

LOCATION

ابو حمام, Abo Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to sources, “at least 3 civilians, including a woman, killed as suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on Abo Hamam city in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, on November 11”. Smart reported on the “killing one man and injuring others, in addition to a large destruction of private property .” The alleged Russian missile struck

Summary

First published
November 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman1 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

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

RS051

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

The White Helmets reported that three children were killed in the countryside near Damascus following a ‘Russian airstrike.’ Al Etihad said the aircraft was a Russian Air Force Su-24. VDC named the children without specifying which nation’s aircraft were responsible. . However Shaam News described the attack as having been the work of the Syrian

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS341

LOCATION

الشيخ مسكين‎, Sheikh Miskeen, Daraa, Syria

A woman and man were killed in Sheikh Miskeen according to local sources – though it is not clear whether regime air or ground forces, strikes by Russian warplanes, or both were responsible for the deaths. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights produced two reports on the incident. The first report said that Russian warplanes

Summary

First published
January 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 women1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS405

LOCATION

ام شقيف, Um Shkeef, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on the the village of Um Shkeef, according to two local sources. Alaan TV reported that dozens died and were wounded by alleged Russian strikes in east Aleppo, including three civilians in Um Shkeef, located on the road from Al Bab to Manbij. Halab News also put

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS2999

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three volunteers from the Civil Defence were reportedly killed and another four wounded as alleged Russian warplanes, possibly in coordination with the Assad regime, carried out aerial shelling of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, local media said. The strike reportedly both hit the al-Rahma Hospital and a Civil Defence centre, rendering both inoperable. Edlib Media Center, for

Summary

First published
February 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2735

LOCATION

حسرات, Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A man and two of his children were killed in airstrikes on Hasrat, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the airstrikes. Civilian homes were allegedly struck, which some sources claim killed an entire family. There were no reports of wounded and no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
November 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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

March 7, 2018

Incident Code

RS3197

LOCATION

الغوطة الشرقية, Al Ghouta Al Sharqiya, Damascus, Syria

Three named adult males – members of the White Helmets – were killed and five others were wounded when an airstrike hit a Syrian Civil Defence ambulance in either Al Ghouta or Al Sharqiya, Eastern Ghouta, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raid. There is some confusion from

Summary

First published
March 7, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1015

LOCATION

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the villages of Hatla and al Salhiya in Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. Euphrates Post reported three were killed and five wounded – they blamed Russia, as did the Smart News Agency. Ara News, however, said that the regime carried

Summary

First published
July 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3995

LOCATION

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

A single source reported an unknown number of injured civilians as the result of alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Idlib governorate on August 6th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported that “Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes accompanied by fierce rocket and

Summary

First published
August 6, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS4059

LOCATION

تل منس , Tal Mnes, Idlib, Syria

One to three civilians were reported killed, and one to five wounded, in three to four airstrikes on Al Rahman hospital in Tal Mnes village, Idlib, on August 21st, 2019. Of the civilians killed, one may have been a child – according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which identified those killed in Tal Mnes

Summary

First published
August 21, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–5
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 29, 2019

Incident Code

RS4092

LOCATION

التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians – a woman and her two sons (one of whom was a child) died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tah the first hours of dawn on August 29, 2019, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes targeted al-Tah town in the southern countryside of Idlib, leaving three

Summary

First published
August 29, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Incident Code

RS2108

LOCATION

السخنة, Al-Sukhna, Homs, Syria

Smart News reported that an airstrike struck the village of Al-Sukhna, causing the deaths of three people and wounding others. The strikes were thought to be conducted by Russian warplanes.  One of those killed was a woman and another was reportedly a member of ISIS, although it is not clear whether or not this person

Summary

First published
April 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(0–1 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2277

LOCATION

حريشة, Harisha, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that “warplanes – likely to be Russian – launched a phosphorous bomb attack on the village of Al-Huraisha, near Aqirbat (about 67 km east of Hama), killing three civilians from one family, including a child.” There were no reports of wounded and no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
June 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2396

LOCATION

مخيم الخريطة, Al-Kharita camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that “three citizens were killed in Deir Ezzor Province, by bombing [may or may not be Russian] which, targeted a camp for displaced people from Al-Sukhnah, in Al-Kharita Desert in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor”. The source was unclear as to whether the warplanes were Russian or not, but did

Summary

First published
August 20, 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

December 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2780

LOCATION

السماقة, Samaqa, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were killed – including one woman – and seven others were wounded in air and artillery strikes which struck Samaqa, sources on the ground reported. Local media blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime planes for the strikes. According to ‘Al Latamna Youth gathering’, farm shops or an agricultural factory was hit in

Summary

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

October 8, 2015

Incident Code

RS030

LOCATION

النقير, Nakir, Idlib, Syria

In confused reporting, a number of civilians were reported killed at Nakir village near Maarat al Numan, in a Russian or Syrian regime attack. However the use of cluster munitions at night strongly indicates Russian aircraft carried out the strike. Reporting from the scene, Shaam News said the camp for IDPs had been targeted with

Summary

First published
October 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Incident Code

RS223

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hanida, Raqqa, Syria

Three brothers were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike which targeted a car carrying them to work near the town of Haneeda, according to Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. The victims – all described as builders – have all been named.    

Summary

First published
December 3, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS352

LOCATION

حزرما, Hazarma, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on Hazarma, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attacks were the work of the Russians or the Assad regime. The White Helmets reported on two raids by “warplanes before sunset” which targeted a civilian home, leading to the death of three non-combatants

Summary

First published
January 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

June 2, 2019

Incident Code

RS3751

LOCATION

كفرلاته, Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Lata, Idlib, on June 2nd, 2020, according to local sources. Two other civilians were injured. Several sources reported civilian casualties as the result of airstrikes on Kafar Lata. The Syrian Civil Defence, among other sources, reported one civilian death. The Syrian

Summary

First published
June 2, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3154

LOCATION

بين بلدة مسرابا, Area between Douma and Misraba, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians were killed, including two children and one woman, and dozens more were injured, in air and artillery strikes on the area between Douma and Misraba, local sources reported. The raids struck a residential vicinity however there were no reports of material damage. The deaths and wounded occurred “as a result of the shelling

Summary

First published
March 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

July 6, 2019

Incident Code

RS3873

LOCATION

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

Three civilians from one family, including an infant, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mourak, Hama governorate, on July 6th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “three civilians (a girl and her parents), were killed while grazing sheep as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on

Summary

First published
July 6, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS865

LOCATION

دوار جسر الحج, Jisr al Haj roundabout (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death toll in Jisr al Haj at three civilians – though it did not say whether the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible. Smart and Shahba Press also attributed the

Summary

First published
June 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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

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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1737

LOCATION

حي المغاير , Al Maghayer neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died and several more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime strikes on Aleppo’s Al Maghayer neighbourhood, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among sources blaming Russia. However, the BBC pointed to the regime, reporting: “The armed opposition said government aviation continued its raids on the eastern

Summary

First published
December 4, 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