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 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2062

LOCATION

بزابور, Bzabor, Idlib, Syria

Between one and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzabor, local media said. Both sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes. According to SMO, “activists reported that the Russian occupation aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Khan Sheikun and the town of Bazabor, killing three people

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2060

LOCATION

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Between two and four civilians were killed and up to 15 more were injured following an alleged Russia or Assad regime missile strike on Khan Sheikhoun. Syria News Desk said that up to 20 people were killed and wounded, specifying that three civilians were killed, meaning as many as 17 were likely injured in the raid.

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–17
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

RS2059

LOCATION

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

As many as three civilians from the same family – including a child and a woman – were killed, and up to four more were wounded, following a raid on Kafr Nbouda. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, except the Syrian Network for Human Righhst who pointed to both Russia and the Assad regime.

Summary

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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2068

LOCATION

كفرناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Kafr Naha – though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were to blame. Syria_ar noted that the “Al-Rahal Society” in the town was struck. According to the Step News Agency, “Russian air raids targeted Kafr Naha and its outskirts and

Summary

First published
April 3, 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 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2067

LOCATION

حي جوبر, Jobar neighbourhood, Damascus, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported an unspecified number of dead and wounded civilians in heavy strikes by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes on Damascus’s Jobar neighbourhood. Reports said that there had been as many as 40 airstrikes within just a few hours Aljazeera: “Russian and Syrian planes have carried out dozens of raids on the Jubar

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2058

LOCATION

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria

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

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2066

LOCATION

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Local media reported the death of one civilian and injury of several more in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Harasta. The Smart News Agency reported: “The civil defense said that a civilian was killed and another wounded by two aircraft strikes on the area linking the town of Madara and the city of

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
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

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2061

LOCATION

الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

Three civilians – a mother and her two children – died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on al Habeet, according to sources on the ground. According to the Step News Agency, “Russian warplanes targeted the town of Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib with twenty-three

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Incident Code

RS2069

LOCATION

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Up to five civilians were killed – including an entire family of four people – and as many as seven other civilians were injured – including three children – in an airstrike which struck the residential neighbourhood of Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, though some, such as Smart

Summary

First published
April 3, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(2–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2057

LOCATION

ريف حلب الغربي, Various location in western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria

On April 2, 2017, six civilians were killed, including four children and two women, and as many as eight others were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on various villages in the Western part of Aleppo’s countryside, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or “unknown warplanes”. According to sources Kafrnah, Khan al-Asal, Babsaka,

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
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
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2056

LOCATION

وطبة, Watba, Idlib, Syria

Some civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian raid which struck Watba, Idlib, according to sources on the ground. There were no reports of civilian fatalities. Both reports blamed Russian warplanes for the strike. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident date

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2053

LOCATION

أم توينة, Umm Tuina, Hama, Syria

A single source reported the bombing of a civilian house in the village of Umm Tuina, according to local media. The source reported it was “likely to be Russian warplanes”.  Umm Tuina is 32 km east of the city of Hama in central Syria and was under IS control at the time of the incident.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2055

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

At least ten and as many as dozens of civilians were wounded in three alleged Russian airstrikes on the National Hospital in Maarat al Numan in rural Idlib, according to multiple local sources. Reports stated that the hospital, which served 500,000 people in Idlib and nearby areas of Hama, was rendered out of service and that

Summary

First published
April 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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 2, 2017

Incident Code

RS2054

LOCATION

كفر زيتا, Kafr ZIta, Hama, Syria

Three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime strike on Kafr ZIta, according to sources on the ground. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck and rendered out of service. According to Alaraby, “the warplanes and helicopters of the regime and Russia targeted several vital installations in the countryside of Aleppo, Hama and

Summary

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

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2050

LOCATION

كنيسة نخلة, Kanissat Nakhla, Idlib, Syria

A woman was killed and as many as four other civilians were wounded, in an alleged Russian raid on Kanissat Nakhla, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or unidentified warplanes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights singularly reported that a school (Nakhla Church School) was struck in the raid, and published

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2049

LOCATION

الغسانية, Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, Syria

As many as three civilians were killed – including one woman – and several others were wounded, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, local media reported. There were no specific figures regarding wounded civilians published. The strikes allegedly occurred at noon, and included surface to surface missiles, according to Al

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2052

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the evening of April 1st, warplanes, likely to be Russian, bombed the city of Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media. A man and a woman were allegedly both wounded, however the man later succumbed to his wounds in the hospital. Some reports allocated this strike to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russian

Summary

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

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

RS2051

LOCATION

أورم الكبرى, Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four children and a woman died and as many as eight further civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orme al Kubra in Aleppo, according to local media. AhmadMowafaq tweeted that there had been a “chemical bombardment on the Great Orm countryside Aleppo and the United Nations and America is silent and

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(4 children1 woman)
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2048

LOCATION

بعربو, Ba'arbo, Idlib, Syria

Between two and three civilians, including two women and a female child, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the town of Ba’arbo in the southern countryside of Idlib. At the time of their death, the civilians that were killed were riding in a car. According to @Omar_Madaniah, the civilians

Summary

First published
March 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(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

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2047

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

“Several injuries” resulted from alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Jisr al Shoughour in the western countryside of Idlib on March 31, 2017. While @AleppoAMC reported airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour without identifying casualties or attributing responsibility, Step News Agency reported that Russian aircraft carried out airstrikes across Idlib, including in Jisr al Shoughour,

Summary

First published
March 31, 2017
Last updated
April 17, 2025
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

RS2046

LOCATION

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of Sarja in the southern Idlib countryside. Conflicting reports were given as to who was responsible for the airstrikes, with Idlib Media Centre and @eyadne61 identifying Russian planes as responsible while @RevoZamalka published that the airstrikes were believed to be carried out

Summary

First published
March 31, 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

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2044

LOCATION

حقل شاعر النفطي, Sha'er oil field, Homs, Syria

At least two civilians were killed, including a child, and four others were injured in airstrikes against the Sha’er oil field in eastern Homs, local media reported. The civilians that were injured were transferred to a hospital in the nearby village of Hamadi Omar in eastern Hama. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
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

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

RS2045

LOCATION

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

At least two civilians were killed and between five and six others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Maarat al Numan in the Idlib countryside. The majority of local sources only reported injuries while Syrian Mirror reported that there were also deaths of civilians from the airstrikes. The injured civilians were rescued

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–6
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2043

LOCATION

جبل الشيخ, Jabal al Sheikh, Aleppo, Syria

At least three people were killed in airstrikes against Jabal al Sheikh in the Aleppo governorate, local media said, It was unclear whether those that were killed were militants or civilians. According to Halab Today TV, the airstrikes were carried out by Russia planes. However, only one source reported on the incident.

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2042

LOCATION

خضيرة, Khadira, Hama, Syria

At least two civilians, including a woman and child, were killed and another civilian was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khadira in the Akeirbat district of eastern Hama. The injured civilian was in serious condition at the time of reporting. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were carried out by

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2039

LOCATION

دير الشرقي, Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria

Nine named civilians, including up to five children and one woman, were killed and between 15 and 20 others were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the village of Deir al Sharqi. Sources that reported low casualty estimates, including the five deaths by Syrian News Network, acknowledged that these were the initial

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3–5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2041

LOCATION

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Several civilians were killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Jisr al Shoughour in the Idlib countryside, according to sources on the ground. While local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes, the majority of sources did not identify who was

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2040

LOCATION

الحمبوشية بداما, Al Hamboushiya/Badama, Idlib, Syria

Between one and two civilians were killed and at least 14 others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Al Hamboushiya and the town of Badama in the western part of Jisr al Shoughour, local media reported. Most sources reported the death toll as two civilians while only the Syrian Observatory for

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
14
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

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

RS2038

LOCATION

زملكا, Zamlaka, Damascus, Syria

Between three and five civilians, including one to two children, were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Zamalaka in the Damascus countryside. The civilians killed include two child siblings, Omar and Mazan al-Gharbi, and a Civil Defense member, Sameer Mohammad Akram al Ghoush. According to

Summary

First published
March 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1–2 children1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
10
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2017

Incident Code

RS2037

LOCATION

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and at least two others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against Al Fatira village in southern Idlib. All sources that named a culprit identified Russia as responsible while @EdlibNN did not blame anyone for the airstrikes. Hamoud Al Awad described the victim of the airstrikes, Abdullah Fayez al

Summary

First published
March 28, 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