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

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1389

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Sheikh Faress neighbourhood, according to local media. Information was sparse but al-Hayat reported that “according to the Syrian Observatory, two children were killed in Sheikh Fares due to warplanes shelling” while Halab News Network reported that the

Summary

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

October 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS1422

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported that an alleged Russian airstrike on the suburb Douma in Damascus wounded several civilians, though there were no claims of fatalities. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes raids in both eastern and western Ghouta caused fires but no reports of civilian casualties. Activists said there were two raids in the

Summary

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

October 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1454

LOCATION

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians died and up to 12 more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local sources. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck. The majority of sources attributed the deaths to Russia, though one report also said that the regime had carried out strike on Aleppo

Summary

First published
October 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1486

LOCATION

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria

Up to seven people from the same family including between two and five children and up to two died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’ar Shmareen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The lowest death

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2–5 children1–2 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
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1529

LOCATION

بابتو, Babto, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike on a grain storage center and a mill in the village of Babbto in the countryside of western Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Images posted by Thiqa News and a video posted by AlBouAzezi show the damage to the grain storage structure that ultimately led to

Summary

First published
November 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1768

LOCATION

مدينة ادلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

On December 6, 2016, eight civilians – including six children – were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on on Al-Arbaeen Street and Maarat Al Nisrin roundabout in the city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria, according to sources on the ground. Misrennabd reported that there had been “four martyrs and 20 wounded

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(6 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
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
8 named, 2 families identified
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

RS2430

LOCATION

قرية المسرب, Al-Masrab, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Warplanes conducted airstrikes on an internally displaced persons camp by the Euphrates river in the village of Al-Masrab on September 12th 2017. Euphrates Post was the only source to report this event. The source reported civilian casualties, but the identities or number of those killed or wounded is unknown. No belligerent was directly blamed by

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
April 17, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2019

Incident Code

R3828

LOCATION

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

One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma’aret al-Nu’man, Idlib, on August 19th. Smart News documented “two civilians killed by regime warplanes on the outskirts of Ma’aret al-Nu’man city, south of Idlib”, while @abuhuzaifa_ tweeted, “civilians wounded due to warplanes shelling residential neighborhoods of Ma’aret al-Nu’man city with vacuum missiles.” Meanwhile @IdlibPlus

Summary

First published
August 19, 2019
Last updated
April 8, 2025
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2020

Incident Code

RS4520

LOCATION

أريحا , Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed and up to 24 injured as a result of alleged Russian, Assadi and/or Iranian airstrikes on the town of Ariha on September 7th 2020. One civilian killed in the strike was named as Saeed Zidan Abu Yarub Al Zaidan. @seerij80 reported that he had just graduated from Idlib University and Fajr

Summary

First published
September 7, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2022

Incident Code

R4443

LOCATION

معارة النعسان, Miznaz, Maarat Al-Naasan, Idlib, Syria

Mustafa Haidar, aged 11, was injured while grazing sheep, when a Russian or Syrian regime forces shell hit him on March 16th 2022, in the town of Miznaz, on the outskirts of Maarat al-Naasan, in the northeastern countryside of Idlib. The Syrian Civil Defense said that they inspected the site that was bombed and made

Summary

First published
March 16, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2022

Incident Code

R4474

LOCATION

الأبزمو, Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria

At least one civilian was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of Al Abzimo on October 6, 2022. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a civilian was injured by artillery shelling launched by the Syrian regime and Russian forces. @HalabTodayTV referred to “civilians” as being wounded without specifying how many while @alaskari_media reported that

Summary

First published
October 6, 2022
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2023

Incident Code

R4510

LOCATION

الأبزمو, Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria

Around midnight on April 16-17th artillery fire wounded five civilians in Al-Abizmo, a town west of Aleppo. The victims consisted of a woman and her four children. Local news agencies were conflicted as to whether the strike confirmed the strike was conducted by the Syrian regime, Russian forces or Iranian militias. A few of the

Summary

First published
April 16, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2023

Incident Code

R4543

LOCATION

بين بلدتي الشيخ بحر ومعرة مصري, between the towns of Sheikh Baher and Maaret, Misrin, Idlib, Syria

On August 22, 2023, at least four civilians were killed—and up to seven others were injured—in a series of alleged Russian airstrikes between the towns of Sheikh Baher and Maaret Misrin in Idlib, Syria. Sources conflict about the precise number of civilians killed and injured by these strikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that

Summary

First published
August 22, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Civilians reported injured
5–7
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
Al Qaeda/HTS
Belligerents reported killed
3–6
Belligerents reported injured
4–9
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Incident Code

R4578

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, west of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

From the evening of Thursday, October 5th, 2023, and during the morning of Friday, October 6th, 2023, the repeated artillery bombardment with contested responsibility allegedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces and/or regime-associated militias or Russian and/or Iranian militias struck a residential neighborhood in Darat Izza, west of Aleppo, Syria, reportedly killing up to four

Summary

First published
October 5, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Religious
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(2–3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7–15
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Impact
Food,Healthcare
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Incident Code

R4608

LOCATION

الكفير, Al-Kafir, western countryside of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

During the evening of Wednesday, 18th October 2023, Russian warplanes allegedly launched an airstrike that hit an out-of-service tank and a hay warehouse in a nearby building on the outskirts of Ishtabrag in the western countryside of Idlib, Syria, according to the Syrian Civil Defense. This led to the injury of a woman in the

Summary

First published
October 18, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2023

Incident Code

R4636

LOCATION

الأحياء السكنية، السوق الرئيسي والمنطقة الصناعية، مدينة إدلب, residential neighbourhoods, main market and industrial area, city of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, artillery and missile bombardment allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime forces and/or Russian and/or Iranian military hit residential neighbourhoods, the main market, and industrial area of the city of Idlib, killing at least six civilians, including at least two children and a woman, and up to 22 people, and

Summary

First published
December 9, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 22
(2–3 children1–2 women3–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
20–36
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Iranian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 30, 2024

Incident Code

R4728

LOCATION

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

During the early afternoon of Saturday, 30th November 2024, two civilian men named Mohammad al-Mustafa and Mohammad Fares al-Sa’id (Abu Ahmad) were killed and a number of civilians were injured as a result of artillery shelling and/or airstrikes launched on the village of Kansafra in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, Syria, by the Syrian regime forces

Summary

First published
May 23, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident