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

RS1867

Incident date

January 28, 2017

Location

جباب حماد, Jabab Hamad, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.656278, 37.283862 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes that targeted Jabab Hamad, Homs, local sources said.

All the sources – who identified a culprit – pointed to Russia.

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

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 for January 28th, 2017.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2029

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Location

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9266201, 36.6180588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, reportedly women, were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, local media reported.

All the sources pointed to Russia as the culprit and reported that the incident had wounded two civilians. UAR added that the wounded were women.

According to Smart News Agency’s correspondent, Russia carried out the strike using vacuum missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment Idlib city was struck by the alleged Russian airstrikes on March 25th, 2017 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes that caused great destruction in Idlib city on March 25th, 2017 (via UAR)

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 March 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2144

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

البشيري, , al Bsheiriya, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Bsheiriya, Jisr al Shoughour.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2487

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Location

بلدة الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.4379459, 36.5379524 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including a woman and two children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of al Habeet in southern Idlib according to a local source.

The White Helmets tweeted a video showing the rescue of a child, who was found alive, in the ruins of her home.

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
    3
  • 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]

  • "The helmet of hope reaches a child [girl] alive and rescues her from the ruins of her home destroyed by warplanes during bombing in the town of # Habait in southern countryside Idlib."

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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

R3090

Incident date

March 17, 2018

Location

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Mourek in the northern countryside of Hama, on March 17th, 2018, according to local media sources.

Many sources including Step News and 7al.net blamed Russian forces for the airstrike, while @HalabTodayTV and @HamahNow reported that Syrian regime forces launched the attack in which they used cluster bombs.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • 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
    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]

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3447

Incident date

June 11, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Latamna, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed, and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or shelling on Al Latamna in Hama, Syria on June 11th, 2018, according to local media sources.

According to @Step_Agency, “one person was killed and others injured as a result of the artillery and missile shelling that targeted the city of Al Latamna, north of Hama.”

@MediaCenterFR reported that 36 artillery and missile shells which originated from the Russian camp and the Zlin checkpoint fell on the city of Al Latamna, however @IdlibPlus  blamed the Russian warplanes that targeted the area with many raids.

The National Council of the city of Al Latamna page said that Zaher Ahmed Al-Mahmoud, aged 28 was killed. Hamdo Awad Assariqibi was also named injured in this attack.

Step news correspondent reported that “the Russian camp based in the south of Halfaya targeted this morning of Monday, June 11th, the city of Al Latamna  with high-explosive missiles, which led to killing a man and wounding a number of other civilians.” The source said that most of those injured are civilians, meaning that some combatants might have injured in the strike.

Al Jazeera blamed the Syrian regime for the killing of a civilian and injuring others after targeting a center for relief items distribution in Al Latamna.

Syria Watan news, affiliated with the Syrian regime, said that “Terrorist groups targeted  army points in the town of Halfaya with several rocket-propelled grenades, and the army units responded to the missile sources in the area of Al Latamna in the northern suburb of Hama.”

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Image of Hamdo Awad al Siraqbi, injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against al Latamna on June 11th, 2018 (via @ala_alkhalif)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Zaher Ahmed Al-Mahmoud was killed in airstrikes on Al Latamneh in Hama on June 11th, 2018 (via The National Council in the city of Al Latamna).

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 and/or Artillery
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported injured
    2

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3375

Incident date

March 31, 2018

Location

الحمرا, Al Hamra, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.312508, 37.085039 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, the Shaam News network, “Russian warplanes carried out heavy air raids accompanied by heavy shelling and shelling on the towns and villages” including Al Hamra. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians.

@JENdKRNgtkxLE7i reported two raids on Al Hamra, but made no mention of civilian harm.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3566

Incident date

November 6, 2018

Location

دير العدس, Deir Al A'adas, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

33.160229, 36.124098 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were reportedly injured in the explosion of a cluster bomb from an earlier alleged Russian or Syrian regime air raid on the town of Deir Al A’adas, November 6th, 2018, according to local sources. It is unclear when the raid took place.

@Step_Agency reported: “Four civilians, including children, were injured as a result of a cluster bomb explosion, left by the forces of the regime forces, in the town of Deir Al A’adas in the northern countryside of Dara’a.” @HalabTodayTV and the Syrian Unified Observatory reported that all four victims were children. According to @HalabTodayTV, the explosion took place near a school.

Whereas @Step_Agency and @HalabTodayTV blamed the Syrian regime for the unexploded ordnance, the Syrian Unified Observatory pointed to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]