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 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2497

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan al Subul, Idlib, Syria

At least four civilians and five alleged members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – a militant Islamist group – were killed and seven other civilians and four members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khan al Subul in southeast Idlib. All sources attributed the blame to Russian missiles.

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2511

LOCATION

معرة حرمة, Ma'arat Horma, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians, including a girl, were injured in airstrikes against the town of Ma’arat Horma in southern Idlib, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, the bombs used in the attack were cluster bombs. Smart News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and blamed Russia as the

Summary

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

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2510

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Saraqeb, according to local sources. A member of the Civil Defence in the city, Laith al-Abdullah, reported the incident and the casualty estimate to Smart News Agency, which was the only source to report on the incident. Smart News Agency also

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2509

LOCATION

نبع عين الزرقا, Ain al Zarqa, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed, including a woman, and five others, including two women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the Ain al Zarqa area of Jisr al Shougohur, according to local sources. Two of the women that were injured in the airstrikes were from the same family. Local sources were conflicted as to when

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman)
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
Unknown, Russian Military
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2508

LOCATION

قرية معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians, including a woman, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured in two alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Ma’ar Shoreen in northern Syria, as reported by local sources. According to Smart News, all of those affected by the airstrikes were from the same family and included

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman1 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

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2501

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians were killed, including a man and a pregnant woman, and five others, including three women and two children, were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes in the agricultural vicinity of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib, according to local sources. A correspondent from the Civil Defence Centre Anas Diab told Smart News

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2500

LOCATION

قرية الشيخ سنديان, al Sheikh Sundian village, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians were killed, including a family of three, and three others, including a woman, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of al Sheikh Sundian, according to local media. According to the sources that reported on the incident, Russian planes were likely responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. Some

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 woman1 man)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2495

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians from one family were killed in air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources all attribute the blame to Russia. Two of the victims were women and one was a child. According to one source, this was followed by artillery shelling on the city during the funeral of the

Summary

First published
September 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2017

Incident Code

RS2496

LOCATION

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria

Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the

Summary

First published
September 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2494

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians were killed and “dozens” more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes. Idlib Media Centre reported “the death  of three martyrs

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2493

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Sajna in southern Idlib. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. One local source included wounded in the casualty estimates but did not specify whether it was in Kafr Sajna or Deir al Sharqi. Both sources that reported in the incident,

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2492

LOCATION

بنين الدير الشرقي, Banin and al Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian strikes on Banin and al Deir al Sharqi. Most sources said that missiles had been fired on Banin from Russian battleships. Khaled al Waleed and Adam.sy said that three civilians had been wounded. According to HNN, there were “martyrs and wounded in shelling

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2491

LOCATION

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that between two and six civilians – an entire family, according to one source – died in alleged Russian or regime strikes on al Tamana’a. Sources blamed both Russian airstrikes or missiles fired from Russian battleships. Some other sources also pointed to regime warplanes. HNN reported that there had been “martyrs and

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–4 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2490

LOCATION

رسم الطويل, Rasim al Taweel, Hama, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, there were “dead and wounded as a result of a Russian air bombardment on the village of Rasim al Taweel, east of Hama”. No other sources civilian harm, but they said that the regime had taken control of the village.

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2485

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between three and nine civilians, including one to four women and one to four children, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian ore regime airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. The civilians that were killed were from the same family, with Smart News Agency reporting that they were a mother,

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
(1–4 children1–4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2489

LOCATION

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and nine others, including children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala’at al Madeeq in northwestern Hama, according to local sources. The initial estimate of two civilians killed was reported by Smart News Agency while

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
9
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

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2488

LOCATION

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

One woman  was injured in alleged Russia airstrikes against the village of Latmeen in the northern countryside of Hama, according to multiple local sources.

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Incident Code

RS2487

LOCATION

بلدة الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

At least three civilians, including a woman and two children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of al Habeet in southern Idlib according to a local source. The White Helmets tweeted a video showing the rescue of a child, who was found alive, in the ruins of her home. There are no

Summary

First published
September 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2474

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbooda, Hama, Syria

An elderly man was killed in Kfar Nbouda as more than seven rocket attacks bombarded the town, local sources reported. A house collapsed killing the 75-year-old while his wife’s leg later required amputation. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported a second death in the town. They were the only media outlet to cite

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2477

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Khan Shikhoun, local sources reported. The injured included a young girl and a woman, according to Zaman Al Wasl.

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2482

LOCATION

معرة حرمة, Maraat Harma, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were wounded and some possibly died as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Maarat Harma in southern Idlib according to local media. Smart News Agency identified Russian planes as responsible but did not give an estimate of how many civilians were injured, only indicating that it was

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
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
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2475

LOCATION

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

A mother and four children were killed in their home as alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces struck the town of Jarjanaz. The death of a sixth civilian was also reported. Those killed included the woman’s grandson, according to local sources. At least five others were injured. Three “space rockets” hit the town through the

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(1–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–7
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2478

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Between zero and three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Sarja in southern Idlib, according to local sources. Some sources, including Step News Agency, reported that the airstrikes struck the local headquarters of Ahrar Al Sham and three of those injured were militants. Other

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–3
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2483

LOCATION

خشام, Khisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, members of the same family, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khisham in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ezzor according to a local source. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the civilian harm and they identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2481

LOCATION

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria

Between six and 12 civilians, including between two and three children and two women, were killed and between five and 37 others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala’at al Madeeq in central Syria according to local sources. Smart News initially reported that eight civilians were killed but

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 12
(2–5 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
8–40
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
12 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2480

LOCATION

الفطيرة كرسعة, al Fatira and Karsa'a, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the towns of al Fatira and Karsa’a in Idlib governorate. RFS media office reported: “Russian and Regime air force planes also renewed their air raids on the towns and villages of Al-Fataira, Benin near ariha, Abdin and the southern suburb of

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

RS2479

LOCATION

الصهرية, al Sahariya, Hama, Syria

Between one and two civilians, including a woman and her daughter, were killed and at least two others, children, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the village of al Sahariya in the northern Hama countryside, according to local sources. Reporters Without Borders said that the airstrikes caused the destruction of a

Summary

First published
September 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2473

LOCATION

الهبيط, Al-Habeet, Idlib, Syria

A man died during alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the town of Al-Habeet in rural Idlib, local sources reported. Salah Ahmad Al-Jamili had come to the city from Helfaya, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
1 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

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2471

LOCATION

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria

A child was injured in the city of Kafr Nabl as missiles struck a hospital, a local council building, and a civil defence centre, local sources reported. The city was hit by three separate attacks with both Russian and Syrian forces reported to be involved. Flight analysis by the Syrian Archive identified a number of

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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