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

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2096

LOCATION

طريق السد, Sadd Neighbourhood, Daraa, Syria

Seven to nine civilians, including two women and two children, were killed in an airstrike in the Sadd neighbourhood in Dara’a, according to local media sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Seven civilians were listed in the Violations Documentations Centre with their cause of death recorded as

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(2 children2 women3–5 men)
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2094

LOCATION

نصيب, Nasib, Daraa, Syria

An eight year old child was killed in an airstrike in Nasib, Dara’a, according to local media sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Most known sources for this event did not positively identify the aircraft. Step News reported that “Russian aircraft intensified raids yesterday [8th]…targeting two villages

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2093

LOCATION

اورم الجوز, Orm Al-Jouz, Idlib, Syria

Up to 20 civilians were killed, including two women and seven children, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al-Jouz, according to multiple sources. All of the known sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes or suspected Russian warplanes. Qasioun News reported that “five raids with rockets and other cluster bombs” were carried out on Orm Al-Jouz.

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 20
(7 children2 women9 men)
Civilians reported injured
19–21
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
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2092

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed and the son of one of them injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media sources. All of the known sources identified Russian warplanes as being responsible for the attack. Most sources reported that one female civilian had been killed and her son injured, however, the Violations

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2091

LOCATION

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three civilians were killed and others injured in an airstrike in Darat Izza, Aleppo, according to local media sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Whilst most sources attributed responsibility of the event to Russia, the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed towards the “Syrian-Russian alliance”,

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2092a

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

A child was reportedly killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media sources. Idlib Media Centre, who specified that it was a child that was killed, added that it was during three air raids by Russian forces on the city. The raids struck the “Christian quarter”

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2086

LOCATION

الزكاة, Al Zakat village, Hama, Syria

Local media named 22-year-old Ahmad Khaled al Daher al Kaisouha as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Zakat village. According to Hama News Centre, the victim died “due to his wounds sustained in a Russian raid on the village of al Zakat in northern Hama.”  

Summary

First published
April 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2090

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

One child was killed and two others injured in airstrike in Douma, according to local media sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Freedomraise News, who attributed responsibility for the event to Assad’s regime, detailed that “two rocket attacks were carried out at 4:30 pm today, the first hit

Summary

First published
April 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2089

LOCATION

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly injured following an airstrike in Bdama, Idlib, according to local media sources. It is not clear who was responsible for the event, whilst the majority of the sources blamed Russia, one mentioned the Assad regime. Step News reported that “Russian air force carried out a massive airstrike targeting the town of

Summary

First published
April 7, 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

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2088

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Four civilians were named as being killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in al Latamna, Hama.  The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed their deaths as a result of “warplane shelling” from “Russian troops”. The death toll included one child and one woman. The only other known source that reported on this event was the Syrian

Summary

First published
April 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 woman2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

RS2087

LOCATION

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

Up to 16 civilians were killed and six others wounded following an airstrike in Heesh, Idlib, according to local media sources – though it is not clear who was responsible for the event. Whilst most sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes, some mentioned Assad’s regime and others didn’t positively identify a belligerent. Smart News, who

Summary

First published
April 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 16
(2 children5 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–7
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
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2085

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

As many as seven civilians were killed, and seven civilians were wounded, following an airstrike on Kafr Zita. Sources were confused as to who was to blame, some blamed Russian warplanes, others the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) blamed the Syrian-Russian alliance.  There was also confusion as to how many casualties there were

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2083

LOCATION

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles.  One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 6
(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

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2084

LOCATION

ابو حنايا, Abo Hanaya, Hama, Syria

A single source reported there were “Dead and wounded by Russian air strikes on the village of Abu Hanaya east of Hama”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2082

LOCATION

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

Up to two civilians were killed, and as many as three were wounded, in an airstrike on Khan Al-Subul. All sources either blamed Russia for the raids or did not attribute any blame. According to Al Jazeera, those who were wounded were left in a serious condition, and there was considerable material damage – and livestock

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 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

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2081

LOCATION

الضاهرية, Dahiriya, Idlib, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Dahiriya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Sources were conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were women or girls. For example, AMC reported two women were killed, whereas Al Jazeera reported two girls were killed. It cannot be ruled

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(0–2 children0–2 women)
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

April 6, 2017

Incident Code

RS2080

LOCATION

الحور, Hor, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A mother and her two children were killed, and as many as four more civilians were injured, following an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Hor, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Al Jazeera initially reported that “a girl and her mother were killed in the bombing” on Hor, however, later reports

Summary

First published
April 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2076

LOCATION

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

As many as eight civilians were wounded – including women and children – in an airstrike on Bdama. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming Russia and others the Syrian regime. EdlibNN  tweetted that “Russian warplanes bombard the perimeter of the town of Bdama in rural Jisr al-Shughour”. Syria News Desk and

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2079

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

A single source reported that Zayed Awad al Rajab was the victim of Russian warplane shelling on Kafr Zita.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2078

LOCATION

عين السودة, Ain Al-Sawda, Idlib, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including an adult male and a male child – and between four and five others were injured – including a woman – following airstrikes in Ain Al-Sawda. All sources blamed Russian raids for the strikes, except a local tweet, Abdlrazak-sbeh, who simply alleged that “air raids that struck the village” causing the

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2077

LOCATION

ابو الضهور, Abo Al-Zuhur, Idlib, Syria

One adult male was killed, and another man was injured in an airstrike on Abo Al-Zuhur. All sources blamed Russian raids for the airstrike.  Smart news reported that “shelling took [place in] the town of Abu-Zuhurt (50 km east of Idlib), killing one civilian and injuring another from the village of Umm al-Karamil in Aleppo. The

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2070

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

Three civilians from one family were killed in an alleged Russian raid on Kfar Nbouda, according to reports from the ground. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. The Smart News Agency reported: “Three civilians from a family were killed on Monday night [April 3rd] by a bombardment of warplanes likely to be Russian on

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman1 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
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2075

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

As many as eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood in Hamouriya. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime except Smart who pointed to Russian warplanes. The shelling reportedly occurred in conjunction with many other raids on towns in the countryside of

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 8
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
7 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2074

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Up to 18 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime – though the majority of sources pointed to Russia. Four rockets were allegedly fired at one residential building,

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 18
(2–13 children4–7 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2073

LOCATION

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

An elderly woman was killed when her home in the agricultural neighbourhood of Ainjara, Aleppo was struck by missiles. Sources all reported that Russia was to be held accountable for this raid. According to sources, others were also wounded. Footage published by Smart News, shows the damage left behind and the remnants of the missile shell.

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS662a RS2072

LOCATION

سلقين, Salqeen, Idlib, Syria

As many as 37 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Salqeen – according to local sources. Up to 17 children and five women were allegedly killed in this raid on the residential neighbourhood. According to Euphrates Post, “four of them a family from eastern Deir Ezzor”. The

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 37
(14–17 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
18 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

RS2071

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Up to 11 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, following an alleged missile strike on Jisir Al-Shoghour. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes for the incident. Some, however, remained impartial, and two blamed the Syrian regime. According to sources, three children and women were killed in the raid. LCCSY and Step News put the

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 11
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
9–24
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2065

LOCATION

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

One or two civilians was killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged rocket attack in Hamouriya in Damascus, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime, except the Step News Agency, who blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.  According to sources, one

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(2 men)
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 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2064

LOCATION

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

As many as five civilians were killed – including a child and two women – and others were injured, following an alleged air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Abohanin617 and Shehab

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 child2 women)
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2063

LOCATION

النقير, Al-Nakir, Idlib, Syria

One adult female civilian was reported  wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Al-Nakir. There were no details of any other wounded civilians or any casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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