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

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1316a RS2379

LOCATION

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria

A “number” of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike in al Khamissiya, east of Raqqa City – though it was not clear who was responsible. Some sources attributed responsibility to the Coalition, some to Russia and some to Assad’s regime. Raqqa24 reported that there was “mass destruction” in al Khamissiya from Coalition aircraft

Summary

First published
August 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2809

LOCATION

خان العسل, Khan al-Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were reportedly killed and another two were left wounded as the remnants of previous shelling exploded in the town of Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, local media said. HalabTodayTV’s correspondent said that it was the remnants of a cluster bomb dropped on a previous day that caused the incident. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
December 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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 belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2019

Incident Code

RS3707

LOCATION

كفرسجنة , Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died in alleged Russia or regime raids on Kafr Sajna, local media reported. According to Ariha Today, “a man and a woman were killed and four other civilians were injured in the town of # Kafarsjana in the southern countryside of Idlib as a result of raids by Russian warplanes” But Idlib Media Centre

Summary

First published
May 23, 2019
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
2–4
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS484

LOCATION

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria

In a news roundup, Shaam News reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jarablus. The Network said this was part of raids on neighbourhoods in the city of Al Bab, including the villages of Berlhan, Trahil and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted. VDC lists

Summary

First published
January 27, 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS580

LOCATION

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local media. The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, 62-year-old Abdul Jabbar Mohammad Mraimini, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on tel Rifa’at. Shaam News Network also reported one death, however it did not specifically

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1–2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS676

LOCATION

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Several civilians died and up to 20 were injured in Khan al Sheikh according to local sources – though only one explicitly blamed Russia, with the majority of others pointing to regime shelling. According to Qasioun, one civilian died in regime shelling. Smart, Orient and Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre blamed the regime, with Smart

Summary

First published
February 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS869

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Several civilians died in alleged Russian strikes on various locations across Aleppo during the second day of Ramadan, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and regime helicopters “launched air raids using phosphorous and cluster bombs and explosive barrels on the cities of Huraytan and anadan and towns of Hayan

Summary

First published
June 7, 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Incident Code

RS3244

LOCATION

طعوم, Ta'um, Damascus, Syria

Several alleged Russian or regime airstrike wounded an unspecified number of civilians in Ta’um, sources on the ground reported. The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian and Assad warplanes targeted the city of Idlib several raids focused on Al Muthaf area and Souq of Hal, wounding civilians. The city of Taftanaz was also hit by a

Summary

First published
March 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2018

Incident Code

RS2850

LOCATION

الغدقة , al Ghadka, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians including a child died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on al Ghadka, local media reported. According to @shahed-alep, “two were killed and wounded as a result of helicopters targeting the town of al Ghardka in the countryside of Idlib”. Sources named Taj al- Din al- Othman Madani, an adult male,

Summary

First published
January 5, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

RS1108

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Russian warplanes bombed the city of Al Bab in eastern Aleppo and while casualties were reported, according to local media. However, reports didn’t provide specific casualty figures. There were no estimates of the number. Both @SRG_Syria and LCCSY blamed Russia – though the majority of sources referred only to “warplanes”.  

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS1302

LOCATION

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media. Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.” But LCCSY said that Russia also carried out strikes resulting

Summary

First published
September 22, 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 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1432

LOCATION

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

Two civilians were reported killed and “many” more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Al Assal near Aleppo. Shahba wrote that “two were killed and many civilians wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Khan Al-Assal in the western countryside of Aleppo.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Halab News also reported two

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1464

LOCATION

قطنا, al Qatana, Rif Dimashq, Syria

One or two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qatana neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though some reports said that the regime also carried out strikes in Aleppo during this period, meaning that its involvement can’t be definitively ruled out. Moreover, a number of

Summary

First published
October 16, 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

November 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1597

LOCATION

السميرية, Al Samiriya, Aleppo, Syria

Two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village Al Samiriya, Aleppo, according to local sources. @Syriamubasher1 reported one child died, whilst @ShahbaPress reported the death of one child and the injury of two other children from one family. Both sources blamed Russia.  @RasdAgency reported two children killed and two more injured. SCDAleppo

Summary

First published
November 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1609

LOCATION

الشيخ فارس, Al Sheikh Fares neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians have died in an airstrike on the Al Sheikh Fares neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – with all three sources blaming Russian warplanes. Photojournalist Zein Al Raifi said that two civilians died in Al Sheikh Fares, but did not apportion any blame. Both Halab News and Shahba Press corroborated this claim

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 27, 2016

Incident Code

RS1702

LOCATION

الليرمون, Al Lleiramoun, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local media reported that a woman and her child died and another civilian was wounded in an airstrike on Al Lleiramoun. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. According to @SN4HR, “the girl Suhad Hasan Kurdiyeh, from Al Layramoun town in Aleppo governorate, died in government warplanes (allies) missiles fired

Summary

First published
November 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1660

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Two girls were killed and dozens of other civilians were wounded in shelling and airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Douma, local media said. According to Smart News, some members of the regimes forces were also killed in the airstrikes.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged raid, with

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2045

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and between five and six others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Maarat al Numan in the Idlib countryside. The majority of local sources only reported injuries while Syrian Mirror reported that there were also deaths of civilians from the airstrikes. The injured civilians were rescued

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–6
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2208

LOCATION

الطيبة, al-Tayba, Homs, Syria

In this single-source event, Smart News Agency reported that warplanes, likely to be Russian, carried out air raids “on the vicinity of the village of Taybeh (…), killing two civilians, wounding three others, in addition to the death of livestock.” Currently, no further information is available.

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2665

LOCATION

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two men were killed and “dozens” more civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, according to local media. Sources mostly blamed Russia, however a few blamed “warplanes” – not identifying a culprit. Al Araby reported that ” al-Ghubra [is] in the vicinity of the city of Albuqmal at the Syrian-Iraqi border in the far

Summary

First published
November 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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 belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS2713

LOCATION

التمانعة, Al-Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

A man and a girl were killed, and six other civilians were wounded, in airstrikes which struck a farm in Al-Taman’a. Sources all either blamed Russia for the strikes, or did not attribute blame to a belligerent. @HomamAlHassan however blamed Syrian regime warplanes. The civilians were killed on a farm while while harvesting olive crops,

Summary

First published
November 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
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 10, 2015

Incident Code

RS141

LOCATION

حي الحلوانية, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that one 13-year-old child was killed – and five other non-combatants injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the Tareeq Al Bab neighbourhood in Aleppo. According to the Network, relief warehouses for the Muslim Youth Commission were destroyed in the raid. The Aleppo Media Centre reported

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Incident Code

RS3681

LOCATION

معرتماتر, Ma'aratmatar, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians, including a child, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’aratmatar on May 7th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other woman and child were injured. Several sources, among which the Syrian Human Rights Committee and Shaam News Network, reported that two people were killed in the town

Summary

First published
May 7, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2018

Incident Code

RS3383

LOCATION

القنبة, Al Qanba, Idlib, Syria

Shaam reported: “Russian aircraft launched heavy air strikes resulting in the fall of martyrs and wounded in the cities and towns of Ariha and Khan Sheikoun and Urma Al Jouz and Al Qanba and Kafr Lata and Hazarin and Hamdiyah and Ma’aret Horma in the the southern countryside and the city of Jisr al-Shughour in

Summary

First published
April 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3727

LOCATION

معرة ماتر أو معرتماتر, Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria

A mother and child were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrikes on Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. A number of sources stated that two civilians had been killed in the strike, whereas Step News Agency reported only one fatality. A

Summary

First published
May 28, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2018

Incident Code

RS3389

LOCATION

السكرية, Al Sukariya, Idlib, Syria

A woman and her son were killed in the village of Al Sukariya in Idlib province during alleged Russian and Syrian airstrikes, local media reported. The strikes included cluster bombs according to Step News. Several civilians were reported wounded.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Regime, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS399

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN said that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tal Rifaat and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded.

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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

February 9, 2018

Incident Code

RS3009

LOCATION

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded, some possibly killed, as an alleged Russian airstrike hit the Aleppo town of Kafr Halab, local media reported. According to all of the available reports, a number of civilians were left wounded as the town of Kafr Halab was struck. However, Aleppo24 reported that civilians were both “killed and

Summary

First published
February 9, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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

February 7, 2016

Incident Code

RS559

LOCATION

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Two children, displaced from Anadan, were killed in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. All reports but one blamed Russia. However the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the regime (see also event below.) An eyewitness told Shahed Ayyan Halab: “A family from Anadan decided to flee to the town of

Summary

First published
February 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS719

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

One woman and her child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network reported that a girl was killed and several others injured in dozens of alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra. It published a video showing bombing on neighbourhoods – though it is not clear whether this is

Summary

First published
March 10, 2016
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
View Incident