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

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2570

LOCATION

البوليل, Al-Boleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As a result of multiple air raids over the town of Al Boulil on September 29th, 20 civilians were killed, according to local sources. The raids were reportedly likely to be Russian. Most of the deceased were seated in a bus when a rocket exploded close to it, wrecking the bus and killing those inside.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 20
(1 child3 women)
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
Named victims
15 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS577

LOCATION

كفر كلبين‎, Kafr Kalbeen, Aleppo, Syria

Between one and 20 civilians including one child died in airstrikes on Kafr Kalbeen, according to local sources – though they are conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network said there had been “a systematic campaign of shelling Aleppo, where aircraft Russian aggression

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 20
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

September 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1267

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to HNN, “20 civilians were killed in Russian raids on Abu Kamal.” However, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “all news reporting a massacre in al Boukamal has been dismissed and is totally untrue.” USEmbassySyrau tweeted “ten raids by the coalition in Abu Kamal in Syria destroyed 29 targets of ISIS near Abu Kamal in

Summary

First published
September 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2093

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Orm Al-Jouz, Idlib, Syria

Up to 20 civilians were killed, including two women and seven children, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al-Jouz, according to multiple sources. All of the known sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes or suspected Russian warplanes. Qasioun News reported that “five raids with rockets and other cluster bombs” were carried out on Orm Al-Jouz.

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 20
(7 children2 women9 men)
Civilians reported injured
19–21
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
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

RS311

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

20 civilians were reported killed and 50 injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamouriya, according to the White Helmets and the Shaam News Network. Activists told SNN that four Russian missiles caused severe explosions in residential neighbourhoods in the the town, causing widespread destruction. They put the initial death toll at more than 20 with

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1462

LOCATION

جزرايا, Jazaria, Aleppo, Syria

Between five and 20 civilians including a child and two women died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Jazaria village, according to sources on the ground. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least four civilians including one girl and two women died due to

Summary

First published
October 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1375 CS319

LOCATION

البصيرة, al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four to 20 civilians were reported killed and 12 or more injured after an alleged Coalition, Russian or Assad regime strike at al Basira, according to local media. A photograph published by Euphrates Post showed what appeared to have been a major strike in a built up area of the town. And a video

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(3 children3 women)
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, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1050

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 20 civilians died in Al Mashad, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether they were killed by Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime barrel bombs. Alaraby, blaming Russia, put the death toll at five non-combatants, with a dozen more wounded. But Syria News Desk said that as many as

Summary

First published
July 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
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

January 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS419

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Bulial Rouwaida neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between seven and 20 civilians including two children were killed, and more than 25 others injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Rouwaida neighbourhood in Al Buliyal, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at seven including two children, killed by shelling from “alleged Russian warplanes“. Al Jazeera reported sources

Summary

First published
January 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 20
(2 children8 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
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
25 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1634

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Up to 20 civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in air or and artillery strikes on Douma, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though Syriansnews said that “Russia and Assad” had launched multiple strikes on Damascus, including Douma, on this day. Syrian Reporter said: “Our correspondent in al-Ghouta

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2806

LOCATION

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

In what has been described my local media as a “massacre” as many as 20 civilians were killed and up to 35 were wounded, in airstrikes conducted over Ma’ar Shoreen. Nearly all reports of the incident blamed Russia, however one source blamed the Syrian regime making this a contested event. Many of the dead were

Summary

First published
December 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
(8 children7–19 women5 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–35
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
20 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1129

LOCATION

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Between five and 20 civilians were killed and up to 30 more were wounded, including women, when warplanes launched two airstrikes against the neighbourhood of Fardous. The airstrikes reportedly struck the local market. Syrian Newsdesk and @RadioAlKul blamed Russian warplanes. However, All4Syria and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the use of barrel bombs

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
Civilians reported injured
17–30
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 19, 2018

Incident Code

RS3032

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

As many as 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and up to dozens more were left wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Hamouriya, Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. The strikes in Hamouriya were part of a widespread shelling of multiple neighbourhoods in eastern Ghouta on February 19th, local media reported. However,

Summary

First published
February 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 20
Civilians reported injured
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
14 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS751 CS201

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

At least five and as many as 20 civilians were reported killed and 53 injured after heavy alleged Coalition, Russian and/or Syrian regime night time strikes on Raqqa. Most sources allege that these were Coalition and regime raids – with the Coalition responsible for those after midnight and the regime for early morning strikes. Coalition

Summary

First published
April 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(1–3 children1–4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
53
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1151

LOCATION

الراموسة, Al Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 20 civilians including three children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on a convoy or vehicles or a bus carrying civilians on the al Ramousah road south of the city of Aleppo. It was unclear who was responsible for the event: many sources blamed Russia,

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 20
(2–3 children2 men)
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
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Incident Code

R2452c

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In what has been described as a “massacre”, as many as 20 civilians were killed – including women and children – and dozens more were wounded – following airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. Local media reported that Russian warplanes were to blame, though some sources including the Violations Documentation Centre blamed the Syrian regime. Initial reporting

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(2 children2 women1 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
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS773

LOCATION

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to 20 civilians including four children died in airstrikes on Bustam al Qasr, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The White Helmets initially reported that “more than 20 martyrs and dozens wounded as well as an entire residential

Summary

First published
April 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 20
(4 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10–30
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS720 CS188

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible. According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain,

Summary

First published
March 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
(1–8 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS2853

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

The Between 12 and 20 civilians were killed in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential vicinity of Hamouriya, local sources reported. The incident has been described as a “massacre”, with as many as 50 civilians wounded. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia. Moroever, many sources including Yrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
January 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(4 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1283

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Between 12 and 20 civilians died and up to 21 more were wounded in an airstrike on a UN/Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy (reportedly consisting of up to 12 trucks) in Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(8 men)
Civilians reported injured
14–21
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1669

LOCATION

المعادي, Al-Ma'adi, Aleppo, Syria

One source, LCCSY, reported that Russian airstrikes killed an unspecified number of civilians in the city of Ma’adi in Aleppo. LCCSY reported that there were “25  martyrs in Aleppo” and that “most of them” occurred due to “Russian airstrikes on the neighborhoods of Maadi andFirdous.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS990

LOCATION

Turmanin, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian warplanes struck an oil market on the road between Termanin and Darat Ezza causing huge fires, chaos and destruction on July 11th 2016 and killing up to 20 civilians, according to sources on the ground. Reports referred to the attack as a “massacre” due to the level of destruction and high death toll.

Summary

First published
July 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 20
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS1929

LOCATION

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

As many as 20 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in an airstrike on Ariha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Around half the sources blamed Russian warplanes, while the rest pointed to the Syrian regime. Some sources such as Idlib Media Centre blamed both parties for the raids. SMO

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 20
(2–8 children2–4 women1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–30
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, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2315

LOCATION

مخيم الحقاف, Hakaf Camp, Al Suwayda, Syria

In this incident, described as a “massacre”, between ten and 20 civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Hekaf Camp, Sweida, local media reported. Several airstrikes reportedly hit on the afternoon of July 2nd Haqaf camp in Sweida, which is home to displaced

Summary

First published
July 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 20
(3 children6 women7 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
16 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS440 RS1825

LOCATION

جبل الاربعين, Al Arbaeen Mountains, Idlib, Syria

As many as 20 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, according to reports, following an alleged Russian and or Coalition airstrike on a militant-occupied building in the Al-Arba’een Mountains. Shaam News reported that seven civilians died including “four children and three women in addition in addition to others wounded.” Step News blamed the US-led

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(4 children3 women)
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
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2015

Incident Code

RS328

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Up to 20 civilians, including two women and six children, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of Tel Rifa’at in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network initially reported that three non-combatants were killed and other injured but later put the death toll at more than

Summary

First published
December 28, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(6 children2 women10 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
19 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS456

LOCATION

سلقين, Salqeen, Idlib, Syria

Between five and 20 civilians died and 10 to 20 were injured – many critically –  in strikes by Ballistic missiles, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Committee for Human Rights reported that 10 people died and

Summary

First published
January 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(2 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2018

Incident Code

RS3060

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Up to twenty people were killed and several left wounded as Assad and/or Russian warplanes struck Saqba, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. As the heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its fifth day, sources reported about renewed shelling of Saqba on February 22nd. While no reports provided exact figures of the death toll

Summary

First published
February 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
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

April 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS787

LOCATION

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported up to 20 civilian casualties and 24 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting al-Jneina, Deir ez-Zour. According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Muhiy al Razouk and his three children” died in a Russian airstrike on Al Jneina. LCSSY also named the victim and said two of his relatives were killed and

Summary

First published
April 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 20
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1013

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

“People were torn apart”, reported Aletihad Press, in an airstrike which hit Al Atarib on 16th July 2016, the Western side of Aleppo. Local media put the death toll at between two and 20 civilians – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the civilian harm. SMO

Summary

First published
July 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident