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 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS1372

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Kafr Zita in Hama – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Syria News Desk reported: “Two civilians were killed yesterday evening [Sept 30th] due to the Russian warplanes targeting the city of Kafr Zita which

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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

October 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS1438

LOCATION

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Mayssar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network on October 12th, “Russian and Assad aircraft did not stop from flying in the skies of Aleppo and its countryside and launched dozens of air

Summary

First published
October 12, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Incident Code

RS1645

LOCATION

كرم الجبل, Karm al-Jabal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Local sources reported that between one and two civilians were killed and that several more were left injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Karm al-Jabal in Aleppo. All of the sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to Russian warplanes. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
November 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1884

LOCATION

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

At least two civilians, one man and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Palmyra in the eastern Homs countryside. According to @journalhader and the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, the airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes. The two air raids reportedly struck the main square and

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2318

LOCATION

الطابية جزيرة, Tabiya Jazera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were killed and another five were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out an air raid on an oil refinery in the village of Tabiya Al-Jazyra, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. All sources reported that the two victims were working at the oil refinery and that the strike was carried out by Russia.

Summary

First published
July 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

April 30, 2019

Incident Code

RS3634

LOCATION

عابدين, Abdin, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians, including a woman, died and up to three others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Abdin, Idlib governorate, on April 30th, 2019, local media reported. Local sources reported that a woman was killed and others were injured when Abdin, south of Idlib, was struck

Summary

First published
April 30, 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 woman)
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Incident Code

RS3015

LOCATION

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Assad or Russian-waged shelling of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta Damascus, both from the ground and air, killed at least one child and one woman, and wounded several others, local media reported. Damascus Media Center reported that 15 airstrikes and five ground-to-ground missiles had struck Arbeen since the morning, targeting residential neighbourhoods. Orient News also reported the

Summary

First published
February 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS533

LOCATION

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named one child, Isra Rabei Yehya, age 16, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh. Talbisa posted a video depicting her funeral, but did not say who was responsible, with the speaker in the video referring only to “manic bombing by warplanes“. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies

Summary

First published
February 3, 2016
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2016

Incident Code

RS597

LOCATION

داعل, Da'el, Daraa, Syria

Two civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Da’el, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Step News Agency, Russian warplanes carried out a raid on Da’el, killing one civilian and injuring a number

Summary

First published
February 12, 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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2016

Incident Code

RS789

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians died and between eight and ten were injured in airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Activists told Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes targeted the city centre with vacuum missiles, killing two civilians and

Summary

First published
May 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–15
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 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2569

LOCATION

ريف المهندسين, Reef Al-Muhandseen, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Two staffers were killed and five others injured as a result of air raids, likely to be Russian, on a field hospital in rural Al Muhandeseen, according to Smart News Agency. The field hospital itself was heavily damaged and the staff lost medical equipment. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS886

LOCATION

‏عينجارة‬, Anjara, Aleppo, Syria

Two children were killed in airstrikes on Anjara, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted and confused as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian Regime. LCCSY initially reported that the strikes were Russian, killing two children and wounding other civilians when homes were targeted with cluster bombs. However,

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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

February 25, 2018

Incident Code

RS3114

LOCATION

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on Mesraba, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Sources reported that the strikes caused mass destruction on civilian property. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
February 25, 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.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

LOCATION

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria

One adult male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Center, died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an airstrike on Efis in Idlib, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several attributed the event to the Assad regime. These reports put the death count at one, with an unspecified

Summary

First published
August 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–11
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 4, 2016

Incident Code

RS1222

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – a man and his daughter – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Accordingly to LCCSY, the victims died following sustaining injuries in a Russian strike. Both Almuhajer and Abdulkaderhep tweeted graphic images of the victims receiving treatment in a medical facility. Step News Agency, SyriaMubasher,

Summary

First published
September 4, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1287

LOCATION

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nairab , Aleppo, Syria

Local news outlets alleged that either Russian or Syrian forces were responsible for two civilian deaths, including one woman’s, on the road between Bab al Mayrab and al Salheen in Aleppo. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said “fixed-wing warplanes, believed to be Russian, fired missiles at the residential homes on the road leading to

Summary

First published
September 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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

November 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1678

LOCATION

الشعار, Al Shia'ar , Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians were killed, including one woman, and several more were wounded, including children, following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Aleppo’s Al-Sha’ar neighbourhood, local sources reported. AleppoAMC reported that “martyrs and wounded and burned people were under  the rubble as a result  helicopter gunships targeting the Al-Sha’ar neighborhood east of Aleppo”. Several sources reported

Summary

First published
November 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1818

LOCATION

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria

Civilians were killed and wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes.  Although no sources reported on a specific number of casualties, most sources reported that there were killed and wounded civilians at the scene. Reportedly, a car of displaced civilians fleeing their town as a result

Summary

First published
January 9, 2017
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

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

RS2011

LOCATION

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed and several others wounded in airstrikes on Ain Tarma, according to local media sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the attack. Smart News Agency who reported that the attack was likely to be a Russian air raid, stated that the two

Summary

First published
March 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–2 children)
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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2058

LOCATION

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria

A young man was killed, and several more were wounded, following an air or artillery strike on Halfaya. Sources were conflicted as to who whether this was the work of Russia or the regime, though most reports pointed to the regime. Most sources blamed Syrian regime rocket launches and barrel bombs. There were no specific reports

Summary

First published
April 3, 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 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2033

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Al Latamneh, Hama, Syria

The town of al-Latamneh, Hama, was reportedly exposed to chlorine gas attacks which killed two civilians. There were also claims that dozens more civilian were wounded through suffocation. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Orient News reported that helicopters belonging to the Syrian regime had carried out chlorine

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2143

LOCATION

دارة عزة , Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilian including women and children were wounded in as many as ten alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza, according to sources on the ground. EduRights Foundation said that a school was struck. It reported: “This morning [April 18th], a school in the city of Dara Azza in the countryside of western Aleppo was

Summary

First published
April 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2291

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed, and several others were wounded, following an airstrike on Akeirbat, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian military aircraft for the strikes. @radioalsham reported that a woman was killed and several others were wounded, while the Step News Agency reported that two civilians were killed as well as

Summary

First published
June 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 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

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2609

LOCATION

معبر مائي, Water Crossing between Al Mawsa and Al-Mashrada, and Al A’rkoub, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians, possibly children, were killed by unidentified warplanes in the river-crossing between the town of Al-Sawsa and Al-Mashrada, and Al A’rkoub in Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Two sources reported the death of two civilian men, referring to both as “the son of” and  “the young son”, suggesting that they both were children, though

Summary

First published
October 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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 belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2831

LOCATION

الهلبة, al-Halba, Idlib, Syria

One or two civilians, reportedly both children, were killed and several other non-combatants were left wounded following aerial shelling of al-Halba, Idlib, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. While most sources reported one fatality, a few sources reported the death of two civilians, such as the Violations Documentation Center

Summary

First published
December 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 children)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2542

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Raids targeting Jisr al-Shoughour and its outskirts killed and wounded an unspecified number of civilians, according to Smart News Agency. The source didn’t identify the culprit. Researches have added various sources which prove generic Russian shelling in Jisr al shoughour on the 25th and 16th, with nothing specific to this raid. No further details are

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
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
Unknown
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

January 16, 2018

Incident Code

RS2902

LOCATION

معرشمارين, Mar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed, including one adult male, and several others were wounded in airstrikes which hit the vicinity of Mar Shmareenin Maarat al Nuuman, according to local media. All sources reported that Russian warplanes were to blame for the raids. However VDC reported that “Syrian government and affiliated militias” were to blame. Sources were

Summary

First published
January 16, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

RS2924

LOCATION

بجخاص, Bejghas, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Bejghas, according to local media. Both sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strikes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 20, 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
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

January 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS2940

LOCATION

مصطفى الشيخ, Mustafa Sheikh, Idlib, Syria

As many as two civilians were killed and others were injured in airstrikes on Mustafa Sheikh, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. There is confusion over whether one adult male died or one child. No sources point to two civilian deaths, however some sources differed while

Summary

First published
January 28, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident