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 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS1233

LOCATION

معر شورين, Maarshorine, Idlib, Syria

One civilian died in Maarshorine, a village in the southern countryside of Idlib, according to numerous reports. Multiple sources, including @edlepnews and Alamawi, alleged Russia culprit. LCCSY said that “a young man was martyed” due to the strikes. The source reported a qualitative similarity between the strike on Maarshorine and earlier strikes on Maardibsa which

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1605

LOCATION

حي بأب النيرب , Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in a airstrike in Bab al Nayrab, Aleppo, according to local media. It is unclear who was responsible for the attack, with multiple sources citing both Russian and Syrian planes. Three local media sites said that one civilian died in the attack. Halab News says one “unidentified” civilian died “following Russian

Summary

First published
November 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1626

LOCATION

الشعار, Al Shia'ar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian was killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike which struck Al-Bayan Surgical Hospital in Al-Sha’ar neighborhood, Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources have attributed blame to the Syrian regime for the alleged airstrikes, and others have blamed Russian warplanes. At least one elderly man was reported wounded, however, others sources

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS1799

LOCATION

بسيمة, Basima, Damascus, Syria

One civilian was killed and “dozens” more were wounded – including a member of the Syrian Civil Defence – in air and artillery strikes on Basima, local media reported. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the alleged raids, except LCCSY and Syrian Press Center who attributed them to Russian warplanes. Only one source – Skynewsarabia- reported

Summary

First published
December 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2019

Incident Code

RS3583

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

One civilian died because of wounds he sustained as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime bombing on Kafr Zita on February 1st, 2019 according to local sources. Other casualties among civilians were also reported. Local sources reported that Osama Hafez Al Rajo died on the morning of February 10th from wounds sustained

Summary

First published
February 1, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2017

Incident Code

RS2352

LOCATION

معدانقرية النعمات, al Na’amat village, Maadan, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that one named adult male civilian was killed and his son was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Na’amat village. Both Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Ahmad Al Shibli blamed Russia for the civilian harm.

Summary

First published
July 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 8, 2017

Incident Code

RS2328

LOCATION

الشميطية, Al-Shmetiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Alleged Russian-waged airstrikes killed one child and wounded two of his family members in al-Shmetiya village in Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Deir Ezzor 24’s correspondent reported that “a child was killed as a result of the night bombardment of the town of al-Shmetiya, west of Deir Ezzor, yesterday evening [July 8th], in addition to

Summary

First published
July 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
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

RS2798

LOCATION

تل الضمان, Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

In airstrikes which reportedly “targeted” a medical centre in Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, one civilian was killed and others were wounded. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Russia, while a few blamed the Syrian regime. One source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Smart News Agency was the only local media

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 2, 2019

Incident Code

RS3645

LOCATION

بسقلا, Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and others seriously injured as Bsqala in Idlib was targeted with explosive barrels and naval bombs on May 2nd 2019. According to local source Step News, “Russian and Syrian warplanes and helicopters” operated over villages and towns in Idlib, striking a bakery and a kindergarten in Basaqla and killing one

Summary

First published
May 2, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–7
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

RS158

LOCATION

قبر الأنكليزي, Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center reports that one adult male non-combatant was killed in alleged Russian warplane strikes on Qabr al Inglisi. The Free Syrian Army, which also named the victim, said he originally came from Anadan.  

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
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

December 11, 2015

Incident Code

RS256

LOCATION

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

One male child, Khaled Nihad al-Nuna , was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the Violations Documentation Centre. Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

Summary

First published
December 11, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

January 28, 2018

Incident Code

RS2936

LOCATION

كفرزيتا, al Sayyad street. Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria

A woman was killed and several others were injured in airstrikes on Kafr Zeita, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian for the raids. Step reported that “A woman was killed and a number of people were injured as a result of Russian air strikes targeting the town of Kafr

Summary

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

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Incident Code

RS512

LOCATION

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

One 17-year-old male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan using cluster munitions, according to local sources. Both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Center blamed Russian warplanes. The White Helmets also named the victim, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible for the

Summary

First published
January 31, 2016
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2016

Incident Code

RS555

LOCATION

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

One girl, Aziza Al Bab, aged 10, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mashad according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
February 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

February 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS587

LOCATION

النعيمة‎, Naemah, Daraa, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center named one civilian man, Morad Hasan al Aboud, as killed in an alleged Russian raid on Naemah. However, it linked to a video in which the voiceover says the victim is a ‘hero from the Free Army.’ Daraa Martyrs also published a video in which the voiceover says that “the martyr

Summary

First published
February 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS779

LOCATION

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Two local sources reported an incident in Bei’deen, Aleppo, leading to an unknown number of deaths and injures. LCCSY reported that Russian raids in Bei’deen, Al Salheen, Dahrat Awwad and Al Haidariya” had led to deaths and injuries, but did not give numbers. Meanwhile, Al-qurum media institution  said that “44 have been killed by the regime

Summary

First published
April 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Incident Code

RS941

LOCATION

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

According to local media, airstrikes hit the town of Kafr Halab leading to the death of one named girl and the injury of three other children. None of the sources held the Syrian regime responsible, but five known sources attributed the strike to Russia. The girl was identified by three sources: LCCSY, Halab News Network and

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2016

Incident Code

RS1069

LOCATION

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Step News Agency, Jisrtv and Syriapost1 reported that one person died and five were wounded after a rocket was fired from a Russian warship toward Bdama, Idlib. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warships targeted at night the town of Bdama in the countryside Western Jisr al shoughour in the  Idlib countryside with a

Summary

First published
July 29, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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 23, 2019

Incident Code

RS3941

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheihkhoun, Idlib, Syria

A civilian male was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on July 23rd, 2019, according to local sources. In addition, the strikes reportedly led to the destruction of civilian homes and of “the last automated bakery in the city” The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib

Summary

First published
July 23, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 18, 2019

Incident Code

RS4046

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was reported killed and two members of Syrian Civil Defense injured in the second of two consecutive alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’aret al-Nu’man, Idlib, on August 18th, 2019. Shaam News reported that, following a previous airstrike, “when civil defense teams arrived at the site to evacuate the wounded, Russian warplanes repeated its raids

Summary

First published
August 18, 2019
Last updated
April 8, 2025
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Named victims
2 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

RS1503

LOCATION

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian died and up to four more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the al Hamidiya neighborhood in the city of Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. Most sources didn’t specify the number of victims, referring only to “martyrs” and “civilian casualties”. But Euphrates Post

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS1576

LOCATION

دوما , Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes with thermobaric missiles on residential neighborhoods in #Douma where a martyr and several wounded were reported.” However, Syria News Desk pointed to the Assad regime, reporting: “a young man was killed and others injured, at dawn today [Nov 14th], in Douma city which is under the control

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

RS1823

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

A young man was killed when alleged Russian shelling struck “militants” in a sugar factory and a farm in Maskanah, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians.  According to @fathi_1999, three raids struck the town. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
January 11, 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

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

RS1895

LOCATION

صيدا , Saida, Daraa, Syria

One named child died and dozens more civilians were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Saida, according to sources on the ground. Omar Balkhi5  reported that a hospital in the town had been put out of service and that “dozens” of civilians had been wounded in a Russian strike. According to Aljazeera, “a

Summary

First published
February 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
2 named
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

May 17, 2017

Incident Code

RS2244a

LOCATION

الحويقة, Al Hwaighe, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian, an adult male, was killed and others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Hwaighe in Deir Ezzor, local media reported. According to @AhrarDeirezzor, the civilian was killed after he left the mosque and other members of his family were also injured. The majority of local sources,

Summary

First published
May 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

RS2507

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

At least one male civilian was killed and three others were wounded in six alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhun in southern Idlib as reported by local sources. Saidat al Yasmin reported that “A squadron of Russian planes in the sky of the province of Idlib” – highlighting the presence of Russian

Summary

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

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Incident Code

RS041

LOCATION

الزيارة, Al Zeyara, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named a civilian male who was reported killed by cluster munitions following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Al Zeyara.

Summary

First published
October 14, 2015
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
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 23, 2015

Incident Code

RS073

LOCATION

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria

One civilian named as Hamad Ahmad Al Rajab was reported killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Zerbeih, in southern rural Aleppo. However local rebels also said that the town came under attack from “fierce artillery and rocket shelling” by Assad regime ground forces.  

Summary

First published
October 23, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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
Unknown, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Incident Code

RS105

LOCATION

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

The White Helmets and others reported a very intense raid in the early hours of November 1st, allegedly by Russian warplanes, on Hraytan. The Al Haramees area was targetted with four strikes reportedly using vacuum missiles, which led to the death of 45-year old Mohammad Ismail Rustum and the wounding of two others, as well

Summary

First published
November 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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