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

June 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS909

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Shaam News Network, reported civilians killed and wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on various locations in Aleppo. The report stated, “In the stricken city of Aleppo Russian aircraft and Assad’s helicopters have carried out raids on the neighborhoods of al Maysar, Bani Zeid, Altarab,  Bab al-Nairab, Alsakhur, Hanano residences, Al Hawooz roundabout,

Summary

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

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS1038

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and others were injured in a casualty incident in Al Maysar, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to SMO, Smart and LCCSY Russia was responsible. Smart alleged cluster bombs used in the attack.  However, Syriamubashar, A_Alhorane

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1962

LOCATION

رسم سبعة, Rasim Saba'a, Homs, Syria

A single source reported that a woman and a child were killed following Russian warplane raids. Two civilians were wounded and a heard of 20 sheep were also killed. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2034

LOCATION

درعا, Dara'a, Daraa, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes against the city of Dara’a, local media reported. Local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes. The majority of sources, including Syria News Desk and Smart News, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes. However, @AbazidMohamad identified regime forces

Summary

First published
March 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2042

LOCATION

خضيرة, Khadira, Hama, Syria

At least two civilians, including a woman and child, were killed and another civilian was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khadira in the Akeirbat district of eastern Hama. The injured civilian was in serious condition at the time of reporting. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were carried out by

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2259

LOCATION

الخضيرة , Al-Khdeira, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed in the village of Al-Khdeira in an ‘aerial bombardment’. It is unclear which belligerent was responsible for the airstrikes; the Syrian Press Monitor blamed the Russians, while the others accused the Syrian regime. The identity of the victims remains unknown.

Summary

First published
May 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

RS2527

LOCATION

المويلح, Al Moweleh, Hama, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and five others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the village of al Moweleh in northeastern Hama, according to local activists. All of those that were killed and wounded were from the same family. Activists with Smart News reported that the villages of northeastern Hama

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS074

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

The Shaam News Network and others alleged that Russian aircraft had dropped cluster munitions (pictured below) in northern Aleppo governorate. Two civilians were killed, named as Hussein Adel Osso and Mohamad Yehya Al Seraj. Five others were injured in the evening strike, including a member of the local civil defence team.  

Summary

First published
October 23, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2472

LOCATION

عطشان, A'tshan, Hama, Syria

Two nurses died following intensive strikes on the Shamna medical organisation in the village of A’tshan, according to local sources. The attacks were attributed to both Russian and Syrian forces by different media outlets. Both nurses were killed when bombs struck an ambulance near the village, activists told Smart News.

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS2883

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Two warplanes killed one to two civilians and wounded others in airstrikes on he residential neighbourhood of Ma’arat Nu’man, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to Russia, others to the Syrian regime, and one did not attribute blame but reported on the presence of “warplanes”. No

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS407

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Alaan TV reported that dozens of Russian airstrikes effected villages in Aleppo, including Tadeef. Halab News said that two non-combatants were killed in Tadeef as part of a “heavy aerial bombardment by warplanes”, but did not identify the planes.

Summary

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

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS503

LOCATION

حتلا, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed and three injured when the village of Hatla was allegedly targeted by Russian warplanes, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of two adult males – Bassam Al Samran and Bassel Al Samran – in a Russian raid that targeted a sweet shop “near Hilwiyat Al Badr”.

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS567

LOCATION

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on the neighbourhoods of Al Halak, Al Salheen and al Kalassa and Ain Al Tall which led to the fall of martyrs – 16 in Salheen, 2 in Halak and wounded in Al Kalassa and many other wounded.” According to LCCSY a woman and a

Summary

First published
February 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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

February 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS599

LOCATION

الدار الكبيره, Dayr al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Two civilians including one woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr al Kabira, according to two local sources. Shaam News Network reported on the incident in Al Ghantu (listed above) and added that “The town of Al Dar al Kabir suffered a similar air raid which led to the fall of two

Summary

First published
February 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3867

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Kafar Nabil as more than 10 aircrafts of the Syrian and Russian forces alternated bombing with explosive barrels and cluster missiles. According to Edlib Media Center, the child was killed and others injured as cluster rockets struck a residential neighborhood. Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
July 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–12
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
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS3179

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on civilian homes in Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. @EuphratesPost reported on the “effects of the great destruction that hit the residential areas in the city of Douma as a result

Summary

First published
March 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2016

Incident Code

RS1049

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, reported that “Russian warplanes targeted Deir Hafer, Haritan and Anadan cities and Kafr Hamra and Maarat Arteeq towns in the northern suburbs [of Aleppo] with vacuum and cluster missiles, which led to casualties among civilians.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
July 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1191

LOCATION

النيرب, Neirab, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Neirab in Idlib, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the casualties, though one pointed to the Syrian regime. LCCSY,@SyrianArwad and @Syriamubasher were among reports that attributed the event to Russia. The use of cluster bombs was also noted. However,

Summary

First published
August 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1483

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Two children, a brother and a sister, died and up to dozens more civilians were injured in airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources reported that this was the work of the Syrian regime. One source, LCCSY, blamed Russian, reporting that the children died when cluster bombs were dropped

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1568

LOCATION

قرية القصر, Al Qasr Village, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A woman and a child were killed and seven others were injured, including five children and two women, following an alleged Russian raid on a refugee camp in Al Qasr Village, Aleppo. All sources have blamed Russian warplanes for the cluster bombs which struck the refugee camp for displaced peoples in the evening of the 12th

Summary

First published
November 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1650

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

At least one civilian was killed – another source reported “martyrs” suggesting multiple – and between one and two were wounded following alleged air and artillery strikes on Arbeen. Sources are conflicted regrading who was to blame. Two sources blamed Syrian regime warplanes for the raids, and only one blamed Russia. Other sources remained impartial.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

January 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS1849

LOCATION

باتبو , Batbo, Aleppo, Syria

Aljazeera reported: “Activists poke of dead trapped under the rubble and huge fires caused by Russian raids after midnight [Jan 20th] on a gas station in the vicinity of the town of Battbo in the western countryside of Aleppo”. Other sources made no mention of fatalities but said that three civilians were wounded in the

Summary

First published
January 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1791

LOCATION

المشهد, Al Mashad, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Up to ten people were injured in an air and artillery strike which struck a residential neighbourhood in Al Mashed, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. One attributed blame to both Russia and Syrian regime artillery. The other two remained impartial. There were no specific numbers of killed reported, however, the Step

Summary

First published
December 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
10
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 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2084

LOCATION

ابو حنايا, Abo Hanaya, Hama, Syria

A single source reported there were “Dead and wounded by Russian air strikes on the village of Abu Hanaya east of Hama”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2405

LOCATION

ابو الفشافيش, Abo Al-Fashafeesh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed and several wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in the village of Abu al-Fashafish, Hama, local media reported. Baladi News reported “two civilians were killed and others wounded when a Russian air strike hit eastern Hama countryside on Thursday morning [Aug 24th].” Baladi News’ correspondent added that the warplanes

Summary

First published
August 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

November 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2723

LOCATION

السوسة, Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two sources reported that an airstrike struck the town of Sousse, Deir Ezzor, though there were only weak reports of civilian harm. Deir Ezzor is being exterminated tweeted that a “Massacre [was] committed by the Russian occupation aircraft against civilians in the town of Sousse, where the aircraft targeted Al-Sayer residential complex.” Meanwhile, Justice for

Summary

First published
November 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 4, 2019

Incident Code

RS3660

LOCATION

ركايا سجنة, Rakaya Sijna, Idlib, Syria

An alleged Russian or regime double airstrike near Al Rakaya village in the southern countryside of Idlib reportedly killed two civilians. The Syrian Civil Defense forces reported that one of their volunteers was driving their ambulance to the site where a Russian airstrike had killed a woman, when he himself was struck by a second

Summary

First published
May 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS182

LOCATION

حي الحلوانية, Al-Bab Road (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Up to two non-combatants including two women and two female children were reported killed, and four civilians injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes with vacuum missiles on the Bab Road neighbourhood, according to The White Helmets and the Syrian Observatory. Reporting was confused, with the death toll ranging from one to seven. Mada also claimed the

Summary

First published
November 21, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2–4 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

RS247

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Centre named one unidentified adult male as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. In addition, the Syrian Human Rights Campaign reported that a boy named as Yazan Jamil el Sha’eel “died of wounds sustained from Russian airstrikes on civilians’ homes.” According to another source there were heavy Russian air raids on

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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 23, 2016

Incident Code

RS450

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians including one child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buliyal, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No reports on strikes on Al Buliyal have yet been found.  

Summary

First published
January 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident