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

May 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2212

LOCATION

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria

One girl was killed and up to 24 other civilians were wounded following an incident in a camp for displaced people in Darkoush, Idlib, that was possibly caused by a Russian drone, local media reported. Several sources reported the death of a nine-year-old girl while the number of wounded varied between five and 24. Moreover,

Summary

First published
May 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2211

LOCATION

سوحا, Doha, Hama, Syria

In this single-source event, an alleged Russian air raid killed one woman and wounded another three civilians as it struck the village of Soha, eastern Hama, the Smart News Agency reported. A local source told Smart News that “the warplanes launched missile attacks on the outskirts of the village of Suha in the peaceful area

Summary

First published
May 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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

May 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2210

LOCATION

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

A remnant from a cluster bomb, allegedly Russian, killed one man and wounded another civilian when it exploded in Maarat al-Nu’man, Idlib, local media reported. All known sources agreed that the incident was triggered by a cluster bomb remnant from a previous Russian bombardment. Step News reported that the civilian harm was caused “after the

Summary

First published
May 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2205

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Three civilians, a baby girl, her mother and a boy, were killed and dozens more civilians were wounded as Hamuriya, Damascus, was hit by airstrikes, local media reported. Though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Most sources reported the death of three civilians, namely a four-year-old baby girl, her

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2204

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and up to 15 more were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, struck Saqba, Damascus, local media reported. While LCCSY said that two civilians were killed in the attack, the majority of sources reported  four victims and SaqbaCoordinating1234 identified all four

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2209D

LOCATION

اوتايا, Otaya, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Several civilians were left wounded following air or artillery strikes  in Otaya, Eastern Ghouta, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. @damv011 reported that there had been “a number of wounded” in the strike(s), while several sources said that the raid injured a civilian defence officer. According to @ameraldmashqi, 

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2209C

LOCATION

مسراب, Masraba, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

In this single-source event, Al Jazeera reported that joint Russian and Assad regime forces carried out aerial shelling in Masraba, Eastern Ghouta, possibly wounding several civilians. According to Al Jazeera, there were several casualties and “dozens” of wounded across several incidents around Eastern Ghouta on May 1st, but it gave no specific casualty figures for

Summary

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

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2209B

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Shelling allegedly carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia in Harasta, Eastern Ghouta, wounded several civilians, local media reported. Without identifying the responsible party, @mohamad_alshaar reported that the use of mortars injured civilians Al-Jazeera reported that joint Russian and regime-shelling had been carried out in several areas in Eastern Ghouta, killing several civilians,

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2209A

LOCATION

كفربطنا , Kafar Batna, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Alleged Russia or Syria warplanes carried out air raids in Kafar Batna, Eastern Ghouta, wounding several civilians, local media reported. Enab Baladi reported through the civil defence that “three guided missile strikes and a cluster missile targeted the towns of Kafar Batna and Saqba in conjunction with the bombing of the town of Hamuriya, which

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
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

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2207A

LOCATION

جبل ابو الظهور , Abo Al Zohour mountain, Idlib, Syria

In this single-source event, Smart News Agency reported that airstrikes, likely to be Russian, hit the mountain of Abu al Dhouhour in Idlib, wounding six civilians, including children and women. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2207

LOCATION

جبل شاعر, Jabal Sha'er, Homs, Syria

Alleged Russian warplanes carried out air raids in Jabal Shaer, a mountain area near Homs, and wounded several civilians, local media reported. According to @fawaaaa4, Russian airstrikes allegedly hit “the mountains of Shaer and Jazel”. This source who also added that the strikes had hit Beduin communities. Both sources mentioned that the raids had caused

Summary

First published
May 1, 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

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2206

LOCATION

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and up to seven were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Arbin, Damascus, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a warplane targeted areas in Arbin city in the Eastern Ghouta consecutively with four missiles. This was followed by with 20

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS759 RS2209

LOCATION

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria

Between 13 and 16 civilians died and four were injured in an “unexplained” explosion in the village of Oweijal, local media said – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes. An unspecific numbers of civilians were wounded, however

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
(4–9 children4–5 women)
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
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2203

LOCATION

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes, local media reported. Bombs hit tents of displaced people on the outskirts of the town under Islamic State control, according to Smart News Agency. An additional four civilians were wounded, some critically.

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2202

LOCATION

السخنة, Al-Sokhna , Homs, Syria

A shepherd died and several other civilians were wounded in the an alleged Russian bombardment on Al-Sokhna in eastern Homs, Step News reported. It was among several airstrikes that hit the surrounded area.

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2201

LOCATION

النعيمة, Al Naima, Daraa, Syria

A mother and a child were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the town of Al-Naima on April 30, 2017, according to local media. A number of raids were launched on the town over several days, local sources reported. A father, Rabi al-Aboud was left holding his dead child Mohamad Rabi (Rami)

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
April 17, 2025
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2200

LOCATION

كفرزيتا , Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Up to nine civilians including eight members of the civil defense died in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes in an “unprecedented bombing campaign” on Kafr Zita, according to local media. Eight of the victims were killed in a strike on a civil defense shelter, including Hassan Hammoud Arfat, a paramedic and Ahmad Nayef al

Summary

First published
April 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2828

LOCATION

زكاة, Zakat, Hama, Syria

Two to three civilians were injured by alleged Russian aircraft bombing in Zakat, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. @HamahNow reported that “one woman and two children” were wounded. Shbaballatamneh3 added that the bombing by Russian warplanes included the use of missiles. According to Arab48, “Russian warplanes launched a series of

Summary

First published
April 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2199

LOCATION

كفرزيتا , Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Local media reported the death of one named adult-male civilian – a blind man – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah mosque in Kafr Zita. According to SHRC, Russian warplanes initially targeted a hospital next to the mosque – and then returned to strike the mosque itself. Smart reported:  “A journalist

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2198

LOCATION

السلمية مغيزيل, Mgheizal village, al Silmiya district, Hama, Syria

A woman and two children were killed in alleged Russian raids on Mghezel, east of Hama, according to a single source. Three other civilians were reportedly  wounded during strikes on civilian houses in the village controlled by ISIS. Some were later rushed to hospital in the city Deir Ezzor. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2197

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

A child was killed and up to 20 other civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian missile strikes on the town of Sarmin, local media reported. Sources on the ground reported two others were killed by land-to-land cluster bombs. A total of three died and 10 were wounded as a result of Syrian ballistic

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–20
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2196

LOCATION

سرج,, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

On April 28th, Alhuralhalabi reported “the death of a woman injured by a previous Russian air raid on the village of Sarja in the southern countryside of Idlib.” According to RFS Media Office, “Huda Ahmed Haj Musa was martyred from the town of Sarja in Jebel al-Zawia in rural Idlib because of the injuries she

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2195

LOCATION

خربة قيس, Kherbit Qais village, Idlib, Syria

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

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2190

LOCATION

درعا البلد, Dara al Balad, Daraa, Syria

Six civilians were wounded, some critically, on the 27th of April 2017 by airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russian warplanes in Daraa al-Balad, according to the Smart News Agency. Aaswat said that the Assad regime also carried out strikes on Dara al Balad.

Summary

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

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2189

LOCATION

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed between one and two civilians and injured two others in Kafr Sanja in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April. Multiple sources reported that one of the martyrs was a child, and one source identified the other civilian killed as the child’s father.

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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.
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

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2187

LOCATION

الركايا, al Rakaya village, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians – ‘mostly children’ –  were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on Al-Rakaya in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017. It is unclear which belligerent was responsible for the strike, as some sources blamed Russia while one other blamed the Syrian regime.  

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2186

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians – one woman and her children – were killed, and a further two were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Khan Sheikhoun on the 27th of April 2017, according to sources on the ground. Multiple sources said the victims were displaced people from Helfaya in Hama Governorate. Some sources said

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

RS2185

LOCATION

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sarmin in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among the majority of sources pointing to Russia. It reported that “ suspected Russian warplanes fired two missiles on al Daraj

Summary

First published
April 27, 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