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

July 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2319

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

One woman and a child were killed and up to five were left wounded, local media reported, in alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in Douma, Damascus. Without identifying a culprit, Enab Baladi reported that four air raids had struck residential areas in Douma, leading to the death one one adult woman and one male child,

Summary

First published
July 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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

July 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2371

LOCATION

أوتايا, Otaya, Damascus, Syria

An unspecific number of civilians were killed, and as many as five were injured, including four women and an adult male, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strike on Otaya, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, while

Summary

First published
July 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2019

Incident Code

RS3597

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Local media reported that one child died and five members of his family were wounded in alleged regime or Russian artillery or airstrikes on Saraqeb. Additionally, an adult male was also reported killed on this day. According to Halab Today TV, “since yesterday [March 9th], the city of Idlib has been subjected to Russian air

Summary

First published
March 9, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Incident Code

RS2819

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed, including a Civil Defence volunteer, in airstrikes which struck civilian housing and a popular market in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes. Many didn’t name a culprit but pointed only to “military aircraft” and “helicopters”. Footage published by the Syrian

Summary

First published
December 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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

October 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS052

LOCATION

عرفة, Arafeih, Idlib, Syria

A young boy named as Mohammad Hussain Al Jassem later died of his injuries, six days after an October 17th airstrike on the town of Arafeih. According to reports the child was injured by shrapnel in the original attack. And on October 31st, a civilian male named as Hasan Ahmad Al Nazouha also died as

Summary

First published
October 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Incident Code

RS213

LOCATION

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians – both children – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and others. Salqeen’s co-ordinating committee alleged that Russia used cluster munitions in the attack. A field investigation by Al Jazeera English interviewed a child eyewitness badly injured in the event: “I

Summary

First published
November 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
4–10
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

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS321

LOCATION

الحيدرية, Haidariya, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, a woman and child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the northern roundabout area in Al Haidariya . The Syrian Observatory reported a number of unspecified casualties, while Halab News named the same woman and child killed as VDC, attributing their deaths to “a Russian Air Force bombing attack on

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Incident Code

RS3730

LOCATION

خان العسل, Khan Al Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians were killed and others injured in a Russian airstrike on the town of Khan Al Assal countryside, West Aleppo on May 28th, 2019. Some of the local sources said that airstrike targeted a mosque there. @NagiNajjar tweeted “two martyrs, after an airstrike that targeted a mosque in the town of Khan Al-Asal in

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
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 2019

Incident Code

RS3752

LOCATION

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

Two civilians including a woman were reported killed and another woman injured in artillery shelling or airstrikes on Al-Zakat in Hama on June 2nd, 2019. Shaam News reported the death of two civilians in airstrikes on Al Zakat, Hama, June 2nd. The two victims were identified as Dia’a Muhammad Al-Essi and Asia Al-Saleh. The injured woman

Summary

First published
June 2, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

RS449

LOCATION

أم حوش, Umm Hawsh, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Thefreesyria.org, named two civilians killed when Russian warplanes allegedly bombed a road near the village of Umm elhosh in the Aleppo countryside. The Syrian Network for Human Rights Tweeted an image of the child Sarah and said she died when warplanes launched several missiles near the village, though they did not identify

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS513

LOCATION

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

According to Radio Al Kul “Two [civilians] killed, including a child and several wounded with burning shops, as a result of Russian aviation targeting with rockets the shoe market in the neighborhood of # AL SALHEEN south of Aleppo.” No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
January 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
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

April 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS3400

LOCATION

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria

A man and a woman died as four air raids loaded with high-explosive missiles struck civilian houses in the town of Al Naqir, local media reported. The attack was widely attributed to Russian warplanes by local sources. Idlib 24 also reported the involvement of Assad’s forces. It came as Civil Defence teams continued to recover

Summary

First published
April 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS641

LOCATION

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

One to two civilians including a child were killed in alleged Russian strikes with cluster bombs, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Violations Documentation Center named a three year old child as a victim. However, the White Helmets said that one man was killed and six other non-combatants injured when Russian

Summary

First published
February 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

RS2462

LOCATION

وادي العذيب, Wadi Al-Azeeb, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that there were victims, including children, due to an airstrike which was “likely to be Russian” in Wadi Al-Azeeb. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
September 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 1, 2016

Incident Code

RS963

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Heavy air raids on Al Bab – which local sources blamed either on Russia or unidentified aircraft – reportedly killed up to two civilians in Al Bab. According to Syrian PC, “Russian warplanes raids in Al bab city killed a number of people and wounded others.” Syria Feed cited one death, while according to the

Summary

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

July 22, 2019

Incident Code

RS3935

LOCATION

كفروما, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria

Local sources reported that alleged Syrian or Russian airstrikes struck Kafarouma, Idlib governorate, killing up to three civilians. An unknown number of others were injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that helicopters belonging to the Syrian regime forces “dropped several barrel bombs on al Farouq al Gharbiya School in Kafrooma village in Idlib

Summary

First published
July 22, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(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
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2019

Incident Code

RS3967

LOCATION

تلة الخضر, Telt Al Khouder, Latakia, Syria

A single source reported that two civilians were killed and that two others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Telt Al Khouder, Latakia governorate, on July 27th, 2019. Smart News Agency documented “two killed and two wounded by the shelling of Russian warplanes on Tel Al Khouder north of Latakia.” Currently, further information is

Summary

First published
July 27, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2019

Incident Code

RS4005

LOCATION

حزارين, Hazzareen/Hazarin, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed, and five to11 including an elderly woman injured, in airstrikes on Hazzareen, Idlib, on August 11th. Smart News documented “destroyed houses on August 11th, 2019, in the village of Hazareen in southern Idlib governorate in the north of the country as a result of a Russian airstrike that targeted civilian

Summary

First published
August 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
5–11
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1363

LOCATION

بلاط, Al Balat, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, possibly a woman and her child, were reported killed in an airstrike on the Al Balat neighbourhood in Aleppo. Most sources said that two people were killed. According to so_ria98, these were a mother and her child. Step News Agency reported: “The city of Aleppo today [Sept 29th] witnessed heavy shelling by Russian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS1461

LOCATION

Karam al Tarab, Aleppo, Syria

Two or more civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground, Only @Free_TV_SYRIA gave specific casualty figures of two killed – and blamed Russia. Other sources reported an unspecified number of deaths an injuries, mainly referring only

Summary

First published
October 15, 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

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

RS1493

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians died in a strike on farmland near Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Step News Agency, LCCSY, @Sy_Reporter and Shahba Press all blamed Russia – and put the number of civilians killed at

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
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 belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS1692

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Mansoura in the western countryside of Aleppo, local media reported. According to a civil defense official of Hussein al-Masri, “an aerial bombardment by Russian aircraft targeted the Shifa pharmaceutical factory in the town of Al

Summary

First published
November 26, 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
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1800

LOCATION

عين الفيجة, Ain Fijeh, Damascus, Syria

One or two civilians were killed, and a minimum of 10 were wounded, in raids on Ain Fijeh. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame the raids, with most blaming the Syrian regime, and some attributing blame to Russia. Only two sources mentioned the death of a civilian in Ain Fijeh. One source –

Summary

First published
December 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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

January 20, 2019

Incident Code

RS3577

LOCATION

بكسريا, Baksriya, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the villages of Khan al Sabil and Baksriya in the countryside of Jisr al Shughour on January 20th, 2018, according to local media. Around 3 AM, an alleged strike hit Baksriya and killed two civilians; one man and a woman. Between two and nine civilians were reported wounded and were evacuated by the Syrian

Summary

First published
January 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

RS1951

LOCATION

بعربو, B'arbo, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on B’arbo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Smart News reported that it was a Russian led cluster bomb attack, however, they were “unable to find details on the number and condition of the wounded and whether they included children

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2188

LOCATION

التمانعة, al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed and one other was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Tamana in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017, according to local media.  

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

R1346b

LOCATION

قرية جديد عكيدات , Jadid Akeidat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to Syria News Desk, “two civilians were killed and 12 others wounded, including three paramedics when Russian warplanes struck  residential sites and the only field hospital in the village of Jadid Ekadat”. At least two other sources also blamed Russia for the event.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12
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 7, 2015

Incident Code

RS127

LOCATION

كفر جوم, Kafr Joum, Aleppo, Syria

Several civilians were reported killed and a number injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory in Kafr Joum, Aleppo, according to the White Helmets and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The White Helmets reported that Russian warplanes had carried out several raids targeting the factory, leading to widespread destruction and a

Summary

First published
November 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
13
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 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS159

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

A seven-year-old boy was reported killed and five of his family members injured, following an alleged Russian airstrike at Kafr Halab or nearby. A second child may also have died. Location reporting for this event remains confused. Chicken sheds were reported destroyed and civilian deaths alleged at Kafr Halab; near Kafr Daryan; and in the

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 children)
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

RS2883

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident