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

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2049

LOCATION

الغسانية, Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed – including one woman – and several others were wounded, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, local media reported. There were no specific figures regarding wounded civilians published. The strikes allegedly occurred at noon, and included surface to surface missiles, according to Al

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2205

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians, a baby girl, her mother and a boy, were killed and dozens more civilians were wounded as Hamuriya, Damascus, was hit by airstrikes, local media reported. Though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Most sources reported the death of three civilians, namely a four-year-old baby girl, her

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2334

LOCATION

حماد عمر , Hammad Omar, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were killed and a young man injured in alleged Russian air strikes on the town of Hammad Omar, east of Hama, according to local reports. Alaraby reported that the raids occurred during battles between regime forces and ISIS. An opposition media activist told the Syria Newsdesk that the area was targeted “with more

Summary

First published
July 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2598

LOCATION

طيبة جزيرة, Taiba Jazera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, two women and one female child, were killed as airstrikes struck residential areas in Taiba Jazera, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it remained unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. The three victims were identified by multiple sources and were reportedly from the same family; a grandmother, Rajiha

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2651

LOCATION

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A family of three was killed – including a father, mother and daughter – and one other civilian was injured, following an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, local media reported. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute any blame. Deirezzor24 reported that there was extensive damage to property in the aftermath of

Summary

First published
October 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

December 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2823

LOCATION

بابولين, Baboulin, Idlib, Syria

Two or three civilians including two children were killed and an unspecified number were wounded in airstrikes which hit Baboulin, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the raids. According to some sources, Syrian regime helicopters dropped four explosive barrel bombs on the vicinity. Aircraft also allegedly “targeted

Summary

First published
December 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 children)
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

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS217

LOCATION

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria

Three civilians, including two women and one child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maheen according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
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

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS314

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on A’zaz, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that four Russian airstrikes struck the city. Activists told SNN that the raids targeted a field hospital and a women’s and children’s hospital, causing severe damage and huge fires which the White Helmets attempted to extinguish. They stated that

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS346

LOCATION

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria

Three non-combatants were killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Nawa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Smart News reported that “Russian warplanes launched four raids on residential neighborhoods in the city, leaving three dead and several wounded including women and children (some of them critical), who were taken to

Summary

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

February 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS570

LOCATION

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Arteek, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported deaths in the town as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes launched intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang,

Summary

First published
February 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS634

LOCATION

الشيخ علي, Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Ali, according to local sources. Al-Arabiya blamed Russia, reporting an “unspecified number of dead including children“. Shahba Press also put the death toll at three, including a child – and also attributed the incident to Russia. According to a 40-minute programme by

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

June 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3853

LOCATION

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria

One to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Al Bara, Idlib, on June 27th. According to Syria Civil Defense, “three civilians, including a woman, were killed and eight others were wounded in the town of Al Bara in the village of Idlib.” @SyrianCoalition also reported “three martyrs – two men and a woman –

Summary

First published
June 27, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS827

LOCATION

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

Three civilians including one child died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Assal, according to local sources. Orient News put the death toll at three and said that one of those killed was a child. It blamed Russia. Step News Agency also said that Russia was responsible, while SRG

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5
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 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2601

LOCATION

الحميدية, Al-Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Al-Hamidiya, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. A man and his son were killed. One source suggests that the victims were killed in a strike on Al Ashara water crossing, about 60KM away from Al Hamidiya

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2019

Incident Code

RS4065

LOCATION

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, on August 21st. An early tweet from Step News reporting the incident stated that “a number” had been wounded in the attack. The same source later tweeted “three civilians killed in Deir Al-Sharqi town of Idlib southern countryside, due to aerial bombardments by

Summary

First published
August 21, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

RS2130

LOCATION

كفرزتيا , Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Two named children died and three male civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to sources on the grounds. Several reports said that “rocket-propelled grenades with parachutes” were used in the attack. Smart News Agency reported that “two children were killed and three men were wounded on Sunday when

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2–3 children3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2156

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

A man, a woman and a girl were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in a airstrike on Akeirbat, according to sources on the ground. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. According to the Smart News Agency,  a Russian warplane struck the vicinity, “killing a woman, and wounding two others, including a child, their

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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

October 13, 2015

Incident Code

RS035

LOCATION

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Two young sisters named were reported by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in a Russian attack on Tahtaya in Idlib. A third fatality, an adult man, was later added to the list.  

Summary

First published
October 13, 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Incident Code

RS389

LOCATION

الزبدية, Zibdiyah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

A children’s nursery was reportedly struck in a Russian airstrike at Zibdiyah – just a day after a similar incident in Damascus governorate. According to Al Jisr, “Russian airforce aggression also targeted a nursery in the Zibdiyah quarter of Aleppo which led to the deaths of 3 children.” Aleppo White Helmets said 20 children were

Summary

First published
January 13, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2019

Incident Code

RS3767

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria

One  source claimed that during the night on June 5th, “three civilians were killed and wounded” by the Russian and Syrian regime forces in an attack on a number of cities, including Kafar Sijna. The source did not specify where the civilians were killed and wounded. The other sources said that Kafrsajna was targeted with

Summary

First published
June 5, 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
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

RS3208

LOCATION

منطقة الفروع, Al Foru’ area, Homs, Syria

Three civilians were killed and members of the Bani Khaled tribe were injured in airstrikes on the Al Foru’ area. Sources blamed Russian raids for the civilian casualties. 7al reported that “the area of ​​the Al Foru’ Badia Al Alyania has been subjected to more than five Russian raids. All the residents of the region

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2746

LOCATION

القورية, Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians, a father and son, were killed and at least another two were wounded as an unidentified drone struck in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. In the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights general reporting from the Euphrates River, the media reported that “two men were killed and another were wounded after being targeted

Summary

First published
November 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 man)
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1433

LOCATION

جوبر‎, Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported

Summary

First published
October 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1497

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a father and his son or daughter – died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two victims (a child and

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2019

Incident Code

RS1905

LOCATION

ابو جبار, Abo Jabbar, Aleppo, Syria

Three children were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Abo Jabbar town, Aleppo – though only one source has reported the event. The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed three unidentified children as victims of “warplane shelling” by “Russian troops”.  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2059

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

As many as three civilians from the same family – including a child and a woman – were killed, and up to four more were wounded, following a raid on Kafr Nbouda. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, except the Syrian Network for Human Righhst who pointed to both Russia and the Assad regime.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2251

LOCATION

الطيبة, al Teeba, Homs, Syria

At least three civilians were killed and five others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian raids against the town of al Teeba near Palmyra according to a local source. Smart News Agency was the only source to report on this incident and at this time we have no other details.

Summary

First published
May 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
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

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2556

LOCATION

بزيت , Bzeit, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from the same family were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzeit, according to sources on the ground. Local media reported multiple deaths and injuries from two air alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Bzeit on September 28th, according to local media. Smart News Agency and Step News Agency reported the

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5
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

October 25, 2015

Incident Code

RS078

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

According to the White Helmets in Aleppo, “Russian warplanes bomb the towns of Al Bab and Tadef yesterday evening with several raids using vacuum missiles – leaving several dead and dozens wounded and homes destroyed.” Other reports described two raids on Tadef and one on Al Bab. Radio Al Kul attributed the attacks to the

Summary

First published
October 25, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
20
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2015

Incident Code

RS336

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians including a woman and child were reported killed at a camp for displaced people in A’zaz. Radio Al Kul reported that “Three civilians were killed and tens injured, among them many children in critical condition, by Russian airstrikes on A’zaz and a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town.” The three victims were

Summary

First published
December 31, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
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