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

RS1419

Incident date

October 9, 2016

Location

الظاهرية, Al Zhahiria, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.878124, 36.52047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three children died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al-Zhahiria village, according to local media.

According to LCCSY, “three children were martyred as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric missile attacks on #Zhahiria village in the western suburb”. This claim was repeated by many other sources.

There was no information available on the identity of the victims.

Majority of the sources pointed to Russia as the culprit – these were the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Spm_Syria, SyriaLive54, EMC and LCCSY.

However, one report by the Step News Agency attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (13) [ 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 between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1451

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1995518, 37.1815538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and several others – reportedly children – were wounded in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources reported the use of phosphorous missiles and cluster bomb in the attack.

Harhoor991 said that “at 4am there was extensive warplane shelling in Aleppo and fires in Qaterji and Ansari”.

One unidentified victim was listed by Halab News, who blamed Russia.

AMC added that two children were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ 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 between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1483

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children, a brother and a sister, died and up to dozens more civilians were injured in airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources reported that this was the work of the Syrian regime. One source, LCCSY, blamed Russian, reporting that the children died when cluster bombs were dropped on the city.

Other sources pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government forces shelling” and later “government rocket launchers”.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “regime forces launched several missiles believed to be ground-to-ground on areas in the city of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta, which killed a boy child and a girl child from the same family and wounded seven other people”.

Syria News Desk reported that the regime struck “civilian neighborhoods and markets in Douma with five cluster bombs” – killing the two children and wounding “dozens” more civilians.

Micro Syria, Syrian Press Center, Radio Alkul and Jidrtv also attributed the event to the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustafa Khalil Salik
male brother and sister killed
Aysha Khalil Salik
Child female brother and sister killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aisha and Mustafa Al Saleik, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Douma, 20th October 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • A news bulletin documenting the alleged raid on Douma, 20rh October 2016. (via Coordination of Douma)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid which struck Douma. (via sohaib_sszz)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1517

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and 18 civilians including one child and up to four women died and as many as 50 others were wounded in airstrikes on Saraqib, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the event.

The lowest estimate of civilian casualties, 2 killed, was reported by both the Syria News Desk and SLN News and the highest estimate of 18 civilians killed was reported by LCCSY. However, multiple sources stressed that these were only preliminary numbers and were likely to increase due to the amount of people in critical condition or still buried under the rubble.

Both the local school and market town was damaged in what was described by The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as “intense and violent bombing over areas in Saraqeb town”. According to The Syrian Network for Human Rights both shops and Al Sena’a School were damaged in the raid.

The majority of sources alleged that Syrian regime forces were responsible for the event, but LCCSY reported that Russia was to blame. Alsouria assigned responsibility to both the regime and Russia.

According to Syria News Desk, 12 raids were carried out against Saraqib.  Enabbaladi reported that 12 rocket-propelled grenades with high-explosive parcels struck the main market area.

Video footage published by SNN and Edlib showed the dropping of parachute rockets and the aftermath of the attack as emergency rescue crews helped the injured. Zaitonmag also published various images showing the structural damage caused by the strikes and the human cost that resulted.

According to @nors_study, the raids also struck, Al_Sinaa, Souq Al Malabis and Tal Al_Roman.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 18
  • (1 child2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–50
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • Al Sena’a School in Saraqeb, which was targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes on 2nd November 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Moments after the alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes targeted Saraqib on November 2nd 2016. (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath showing damage to local shops which were targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, 2nd November 2016, Saraqib. (via Alsouria)
  • The exact moment a parachute missile was dropped onto Saraqib, by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, 2nd November 2016. (via @Edlib Media) Center
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids which damaged the market and school in Saraqib. A civilian causality can also be seen in this footage. 2nd November 2016. (via SNN)
  • Wounded civilians are rescued just moments after the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Edlib SCD)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • A girl wounded by the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to the market in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Fires still alight in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Fires still alight in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty due to the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Many civilian casualties due to the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Damage to buildings can be seen in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Fires still alight in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Saraqib, 2nd November 2016. (via Zaitonmag)
  • Result of the alleged bombing in Idlib published by Radio Alkul. (via RadioAlKul)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Saraqib (سراقب), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.859101, 36.797731. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 on November 2nd 2016 in Idlib.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 18
  • (1 child2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–50
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1836

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.023611, 36.680455 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 11 civilians including two children and a woman were killed, and as many as 25 more were wounded, in an airstrike which targeted a market in Ma’arat Misrin early morning on Saturday 14th January, according to sources on the ground. Two children and a woman were also included in the death toll according to sources. Almost all sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes, with some other sources not identifying the culprit.

According to sources, a bakery was damaged, as was an “industrial zone”, residential homes, and many shops in the market.

Not only were ten members of the civil defence wounded, but many injuries were severe, and sources stated that the death toll would likely rise.

Two planes were allegedly sighted in the vicinity.

One source claimed that 15 civilians were killed in Idlib on the 14th, “most were from Ma’arat.”

The incident occured at 03:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown from Harbnosh killed
Age unknown from Harbnosh killed
Age unknown from Harbnosh killed
Age unknown from Al Kafar killed
Age unknown from Tala’ada killed
Child male from Tala’ada killed
Age unknown from Idlib killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 11
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–25
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A seriously injured child is pulled from the rubble in the immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians are pulled from the rubble in the immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians are pulled from the rubble in the immediate aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib)
  • The effects of an airstrike on the market following an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Thiqa Agency)
  • A young boy saves oranges from the rubble which was market in the aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via @Sabrnews)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via @alsawtnews)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via @alsawtnews)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via @alsawtnews)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via @MousaAlomar)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of a market which was targeted by an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Civilians are rescued from the rubble. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Alaa Zakaria Sabra, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Ma'arat Misrin, 14th Jan 2017. (via Basel.sabra.9)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

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 specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 11
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–25
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4510

Incident date

July 7, 2020

Location

كفر عويد, Kara Awaid, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were reported injured during alleged Regime or Russian artillery shelling on residential neighborhoods of the town of Kara Awaid in the southern countryside of Idlib on July 7, 2020.

Multiple sources such as @TVIdlib, @ShahbaPress and @Syria TV reported that four civilians were injured in the artillery shelling. However, other sources refer to “civilians” as being injured without specifying the amount of people wounded.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike, with @Sadaat24News and @abdulrhman570 attributing the artillery shelling to the Russian Armed Forces while all other sources refer to Regime forces as having carried out the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4429

Incident date

December 27, 2021

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.012172, 36.6730499 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian strikes near a poultry farm and IDP camp outside of Ma’arat Misrin on December 27, 2021.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that three workers, including a child, were injured in Russian airstrikes on a poultry farm outside of Ma’arat Misrin. @thiqanewsagency also tweeted that three civilians had been injured in the strikes.

Zaman Al Wasl added that some of the civilians injured were in critical condition and that the area bombed was near a gathering of camps and El Dorar identified the camps as being for IDPs.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified three airstrikes as having hit west Ma’arat Misrin but added that “no casualties have been reported”.

A tweet from @anasanas84 reported that the air raids on Ma’arat Misrin resulted in massive destruction to property. Syrian Network for Human Rights specified that the missiles struck three adjacent poultry barns, partially damaging the three barns, one of which was being used as a special food preparation facility. The source added that the facilities are in a “residential area free of any military presence or equipment”.

The majority of the sources attributed the airstrikes to Russia and @Ahmadmuaffaq identified vacuum missiles as being used by Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)
  • The effects of the destruction caused as a result of the alleged Russian air strikes on the outskirts of the city of Maarat Misrin in Idlib countryside. (Image posted by Macro Media Center)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ma’arat Misrin (مَعَرَّةُ مِصْرِينَ), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.012172, 36.6730499. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4467

Incident date

September 8, 2022

Location

الغفر, Al Ghafir, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian air raid injured five civilians using surface-to-surface missiles loaded with cluster bombs in Al Ghafar in Idlib province on September 8th, 2022. The Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) reported that 5 civilians were injured and that the strikes killed dozens of goats and sheep owned by a local shepherd and farmer. The strikes also caused substantial infrastructural damage according to Baladi news. There were no further reports of civilian harm.

Furthermore, the SCD pictured the surface-to-surface missiles used that were 9M79 Tochka that carried 9N24 cluster bombs which “don’t explode and turn into time bombs”. The attack took place in the late morning as four warplanes took off from the Russian Hmeimim base at 10:22 and first struck in Hafsarja before moving on to Al Ghafar, a small village in the Sahel al-Roj plain, west of Idlib. There were more than 10 consecutive air strikes. Additionally, the incident took place near an internally displaced persons camp in the area.

The incident was first reported on September 8, 2022 at 10:30 am by .

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Baladi posted an image of the missile in Al Ghafar
  • @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted a photo of the missile which hit Al Ghafir area on September 8th 2022 (Image via Twitter)
  • Image via @rana_alassad / Twitter of location of alleged Russian strike in Al Ghafir
  • Russian warplanes allegedly hit Al Ghafir on September 8th 2022 (Image via @tommycats4 / Twitter)
  • Russian warplanes allegedly hit Al Ghafir on September 8th 2022 (Image via @HammamGhazzawi / Twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]