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 Code

RS2292

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Location

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Step News Agency, reported that “a number of air raids targeted the vicinity of Sukhna town, destroying two cars and causing injuries in the area.”

There were no details of any civilian deaths, or any other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown


Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3611

Incident date

March 28, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One woman was injured in an alleged regime or Russian artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media.

On March 28th, the Syrian Observatory said “that it had monitored more violations in the areas of the Russian-Turkish truce and surrounding areas” It added that it had “monitored intensive bombardment by regime forces with more than 30 rockets hitting areas in the city of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern sector of Idlib”.

Baladi added “the regime’s forces shelled rocket and artillery shells in the Khan Sheikhoun district with more than 15 rockets and artillery shells, causing widespread damage to private and public property.”

According to the White Helmets, “a woman was injured in the city of Khan Sheikhon after the targeting of residential areas this evening [March 28th], with 23 artillery shells coming regime forces. The civil defense teams worked to rescue the injured  and to take them to the nearest medical center”.

@syrianman967, @MasarPressNet, and Syria.liveuamap also reported the injury of a woman and pointed to the regime.

However, the Smart News agency blamed “Russian forces at the camp in the village of Al Qabariyah” for harming the woman.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 28th 2019. The White Helmets and other sources reported that one woman was wounded.
  • Translation: 'The food was mixed with blood and the shelling by the Assad militia led to a woman being wounded in the city'
  • The aftermath of an artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 28th 2019. The White Helmets and other sources reported that one woman was wounded. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of an artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 28th 2019. The White Helmets and other sources reported that one woman was wounded. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of an artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 28th 2019. The White Helmets and other sources reported that one woman was wounded. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of an artillery strike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 28th 2019. The White Helmets and other sources reported that one woman was wounded. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Translation: 'The food was mixed with blood and the shelling by the Assad militia led to a woman being wounded in the city'

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2702

Incident date

November 7, 2017

Location

الشويط, Al-Showeit, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.654065, 40.813093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian warplanes “targeted the village of Al-Showeit” with more than eight raids, injuring several civilians.

Details reported that civilian housing was damaged in the raids. Explosive barrels also allegedly struck the vicinity.

There were no reported deaths.

No other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2828

Incident date

December 29, 2017

Location

زكاة, Zakat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3406492, 36.5770697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

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 raids on the village of Zakat in the northern villages of Hama, resulting in significant material damage to the infrastructure.”

There were no reports of civilian deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2547

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.811903, 36.202275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people were wounded after an airstrike, believed to be Russian, hit the town of Bdama near Idlib, according to local media.

The planes struck several sites holding armed groups, according to media, including Jisr al-Shughour, Bdama, Qunya, al-Sanameh, Yacoubiya, and Abu al-Dahour.

There was much material damage.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bdama, 27th September 2017. (via Qasioun News)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bdama, 27th September 2017. (via Qasioun News)
  • The exact moment airstrikes hit Bdama, 27th September 2017. (via @ShehabAgency)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3642

Incident date

May 1, 2019

Location

القصابية, Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Halab Today reported that several civilians were wounded by airstrikes in the towns of Al-Qasabiya and Tramla in the countryside of Idlib.

While a number of sources reported the airstrikes without citing casualties, Halab Today TV referred to “several wounded” in the attack.

Macro Media Center said also that a school was struck by the vacuum missiles from Russian warplanes, causing huge damage to its building.

Sources named both Russian forces and the Syrian regime as the belligerents responsible for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video Caption Translation: "The size of destruction caused by the bombing of Russian aircraft by the rockets of the school of Qasabiya rural Idlib South, which caused considerable damage inside the school and out of service in full" (via Macro Media Center)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2971

Incident date

February 3, 2018

Location

كفر عميم, Kafr Amam, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.815342, 36.869345 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian warplane carried out airstrikes in the village of Kafr Amam, Idlib, local media reported, which, according to one source, wounded three civilians.

Several sources reported how the village of Kafr Amam was hit by, which all sources, identified, Russian forces.

The Twitter account Shafii cited the local council who declared the village completely destroyed, including most of the vital facilities – most importantly the water station, which covers most of the surrounding villages.

One source, Smart News Agency, reported through local activists, that three civilians were wounded by the raids and that the Civil Defence had helped them to a nearby medical point.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment the alleged airstrike hit Kafr Amam on February 3rd, 2018 (via Shafii)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2906

Incident date

January 17, 2018

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shekhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was injured when two alleged Russian warplanes struck Khan Shekhoun, according to local media. All sources reported that Russia was to blame, except @SyriaCivilDefe who tweeted that unknown warplanes were to blame.

There were no reports of civilian deaths.

According to @SyriaCivilDefe “cluster bombs and rockets containing incendiary materials” were used on the vicinity. Photos were also published in the aftermath with an image of the shell and the burning crater formed in the aftermath of the raid.

One source reported that “A child and his father were killed by the bombing of warplanes (believed to be Russian) on the town of Khan Sheikhan in rural Idlib.” Researchers and assessors at Airwars believe this tweet was referring to the child and father killed in Saraqeb – see incident R2710.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike which hit the vicinity of Khan Shekhoun, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A detonated missile in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike which hit the vicinity of Khan Shekhoun, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike which hit the vicinity of Khan Shekhoun, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike which hit the vicinity of Khan Shekhoun, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]