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, 2018

Incident Code

RS3377

LOCATION

التلاتا, Al Talata, Idlib, Syria

Russian aircraft allegedly launched several air raids on the village of Al Talata, local media reported. According to Step,” Russian aircraft launched several air raids targeting the city of Jericho and the towns of Talat and Urm al-Joz in the countryside # Idlib, resulting in the  a number of dead and wounded.” The source didn’t

Summary

First published
April 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS265

LOCATION

سبع و اربعين, Saba’a wa Arba’een, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian attack by helicopters on southern rural villages of Hassaka, according to Siraj Al Hasskawi, an activist from the region. Hasskawi noted that if the helicopters proved to be Russian then this would be the first raid in the area since the announcement

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
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

January 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS2891

LOCATION

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reported killed and wounded by airstrikes in Taman’a. Sources mostly blamed Russian warplanes, however, Shaam reported that both Russia and the Syrian regime were to blame for the strikes. The aerial bombardment, which consisted of rockets and cluster bombs, also struck cities and towns of “Tumana, Khan Shaykhoun, Jirjnaz

Summary

First published
January 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
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.
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

RS297

LOCATION

الشيخ مقصود, Sheikh Maqsod (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two or three civilians were reported killed and nine injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Maqsod, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that Russian warplanes launched several raids which came after the signing of a ceasefire between  rebels and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units. However all other sources blamed the Assad regime.

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
9–10
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

RS329

LOCATION

الشيخ مسكين‎, Sheikh Miskeen, Daraa, Syria

Two adult civilian men named as Abdullateef Abdul Ghani al-Omari (pictured) and Kamal Al Khaswan were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Miskeen. Smart News said the air raids were linked to a major ground offensive: “Russian occupation planes carried out dozens of air strikes on Tuesday morning at Sheikh Miskeen in the

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2019

Incident Code

RS3737

LOCATION

مصيبين, Masibin, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Masabin, Idlib governorate, on May 29th, 2019, according to local sources. According to Shaam News, “the Russian Air Force and the Syrian Air Force carried out very heavy air raids and shelling” in a number of locations, leading to the deaths of

Summary

First published
May 29, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2019

Incident Code

RS3787

LOCATION

كفربطيخ, Kafar Batikh, Idlib, Syria

One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafar Batik, Idlib, June 10th. While two sources cite the death of one woman, multiple sources document the death of both a woman and her young child. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that an “infant, Malak Mohammad Hammadi, was killed along with her mother, Asmaa

Summary

First published
June 10, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–4
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS681

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

“Several” civilians were killed when Russian warplanes allegedly “carried out raids on the towns of Hraytan, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, MA’arat al Arteek and the region of Assiya,” according to the Shaam News Network. The Violations Documentation Centre reported a man died from injuries sustained by Russian shelling on Hraytan. It did not mention a date but

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 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

March 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS745

LOCATION

المرج, Marj, Damascus, Syria

Shaam News Network reported that two civilians died in alleged Russian raids on Marj, eastern Ghouta. Baladi and All4Syria also said there had been “warplane raids” on Marj, but that there had been no reports of deaths or injuries. Neither said who had carried out the raids.  

Summary

First published
March 30, 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

March 4, 2018

Incident Code

RS3159

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria

A woman and a child were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Kafar Zita, according to local media. According to sources, “Amira Ahmed Hilal, the wife of Hussein Faraj al-Hussein (Khawada), who was injured by the bombing of the Russian warplane to join her child Maria”. The source reported that “the martyrdom of

Summary

First published
March 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS842

LOCATION

الشيخ خضر, Sheikh Khudar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One or two civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Sheikh Khudar, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was repsonsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2018

Incident Code

RS3253

LOCATION

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Two civilians – a man and a woman, both named – were killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes, and an unspecified number more were injured, local media reported. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “The areas of the town of Haza have been hit by a renewed bombardment of the regime forces by

Summary

First published
March 13, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Incident Code

RS4045

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria

One to two civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in airstrikes on Al Hamidiah in Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 18th. Shaam News documented “two martyrs killed in Maarat al-Nu’man”, while other sources cited one civilian killed in the incident. @IdlibPlus tweeted “a civilian martyr and a number of injuries were reported as

Summary

First published
August 18, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1382

LOCATION

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Hraitan outside of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The illegal use of cluster bombs was mentioned by several media, while all sources identified Russia as the culprit.    

Summary

First published
October 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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

October 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1416

LOCATION

Rasim al Eis, Aleppo, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on  Rasum al Eis village in Aleppo, according local media. The strikes also reportedly wounded a number of people, including children. Most sources put the death toll at one. For example Halab Today said that “one person was martyred and three children were wounded

Summary

First published
October 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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

October 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS1512

LOCATION

Al Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and up to three more, including children, were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Al Sheikh Ali town, according to sources on the ground. The White Helmets reported: “Russian warplanes targeted the town of al Sheikh Ali in the western Aleppo countryside with vacuum missiles which led to the death of

Summary

First published
October 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1622

LOCATION

جمعية الهادي, Jami'yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, a child and an elderly woman, were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jami’yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, according to local media. All of the known sources which attributed the event to a belligerent, reported that Russian warplanes were responsible. Shahba Press reported that the event was Russian air raids, whilst Step News

Summary

First published
November 18, 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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS1748

LOCATION

ريف حماة الشرقي, Eastern countryside of Hama, Hama, Syria

As many as two civilians were killed, with several “confirmed injured”, in airstrikes on the Eastern countryside of Hama, according to local media. Only one source attributed blame to Russian warplanes, whereas the rest blamed the Syrian regime. According to Airwars researchers, all the sources apart from Smart News are allegedly Syrian regime propaganda. Additionally there

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2005

LOCATION

الطيبات, Al Taibat, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed and others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Taibat, Idlib – according to local media sources. Smart News reported that two “unknown people” were killed in the attack. This was corroborated by both LCCSY and Syrian Network for Human Rights, both of whom reported that Russian warplanes were

Summary

First published
March 22, 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 belligerents
Unknown, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS1988

LOCATION

سوحا, Soha village, Hama, Syria

Two people were killed and a further two were injured in what was ‘likely’ a Russian airstrike in Soha village in eastern Hama Governorate on March 19th 2017, according to one local source, the Smart News Agency. The attack was reportedly carried out within ISIS territory, and killed a man and his wife – and

Summary

First published
March 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(0–1 women0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2195

LOCATION

خربة قيس, Kherbit Qais village, Idlib, Syria

A woman and a child died following alleged Russian airstrikes in the village of Kherbit Qais in eastern Idlib, according to sources on the ground. Warplanes launched two raids at dawn, according to local sources.

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
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

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2600

LOCATION

الكندير صبيخان, Water crossing between Al-Kandeer and Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An unspecifiied number of civilians were killed and wounded, following an airstrike on Al-Kandeer – specifically the water crossing between Al-Kandeer and Sbeikhan. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. A single source, Step News Agency, blamed Russian raids, however all the others reported sighting “unknown warplanes” or “military aircraft”.

Summary

First published
October 5, 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, Unknown
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

February 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS2962

LOCATION

الخواري, Al-Khawari, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In this single-source event, Al Latamna Youth Group reported that alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Al-Khawari, Aleppo, resulting in “martyrs and wounded civilians”. Currently, no further information is available.

Summary

First published
February 1, 2018
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

January 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS340

LOCATION

بيانون, Bayanoun, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed – one possibly a child – in an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery attack on the town of Bayanoun.  

Summary

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

Incident date

April 6, 2018

Incident Code

RS3394

LOCATION

مغر الحنطة, Mughr Al-Hunta, Idlib, Syria

Civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on the village of Mughr Al-Hunta that were widely attributed to Russian forces.  

Summary

First published
April 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Incident Code

RS2930

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Two men were killed in airstrikes which hit Arbeen, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes. According to SCDrifdimashq, the raids struck a residential neighbourhood with “intensive shelling”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS468

LOCATION

الشحيل, Shaheil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One woman and her child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of al Shaheil, according to reports. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a child,  died with his mother when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on the town. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also blamed Russia.  

Summary

First published
January 27, 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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS724

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Several civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to local sources. Al Jazeera reported that “a number of people were killed, including women and children, as a result of dozens of continuous Russian air raids days ago on residential neighborhoods and archaeological city. others were injured in the city of Palmyra in

Summary

First published
March 11, 2016
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS853

LOCATION

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Bei’deen, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. LCCSY, reported that two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike. Alamawi, Shahba Press also said that Russia was responsible But  Arabstoday and

Summary

First published
June 5, 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