Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

RS3580

Incident date

January 23, 2019

Location

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3729476, 36.6820998 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women were wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Mourek, 27 kilometres north of Hama, on January 23rd, according to local media.

Smart News Agency reported that two women had been injured by artillery shelling on the city of Mourek. Ahmad Makhad, from the media department with the Syrian Civil Defence, stated that “the Russian troops stationed in the camp of the village of Kubaybat al Huda targeted the city with heavy artillery, wounding two women lightly. [The women] were taken to a nearby medical point.”

While most sources blamed Russia, Baladi reported: “Regime forces used artillery and rocket launchers on the towns and villages of Kafrzita and Altamna and Mourek and Janaibah and Mork and Hawiz, resulting in the injury of a number of civilians”.

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
  • 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 (4) [ 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
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3579

Incident date

January 22, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

12-year-old girl Mariam Mahmoud Hassan Rahhal was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Kfar Zeita, north-east of Souran in the northern suburb of Hama. Two other civilians were wounded, whom according to some sources, were children as well. 

Smart News Agency reported “the killing of a girl and wounding two others in artillery shelling by Russian forces on the town of Kafr Zeita, north of Hama, from their location in the village of Kobeibat Huda.”

Enab Baladi reported a “number of injured civilians”, whereas other sources such as Smart News Agency reported specifically two injured civilians. According to the Syrian Civil Defence, the two injured victims were also children.

Some local sources blamed Russian forces, while other sources blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Mahmoud Hasan al Rahhal فاطمة محمود الرحال
12 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Raising a child and injuring two with her because of the city of # Kafrzita heavy artillery shelling came from the forces of the regime, where the number of missiles exceeded 50 shells on residential neighborhoods, the civil defense teams worked to rescue the injured and save civilians and lose areas of bombing and secure. "

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3577

Incident date

January 20, 2019

Location

بكسريا, Baksriya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.866414, 36.213093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the villages of Khan al Sabil and Baksriya in the countryside of Jisr al Shughour on January 20th, 2018, according to local media.

Around 3 AM, an alleged strike hit Baksriya and killed two civilians; one man and a woman.

Between two and nine civilians were reported wounded and were evacuated by the Syrian Civil Defense teams. One local source alleged that most of the wounded were children, but did not mention a specific number.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Destructed buildings of alleged Russian airstrike that targeted Baksriya (via LCCsy).
  • Destructed building in Baksriya caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via JMC).
  • Destructed building in Baksriya caused by an alleged Russian (via Jisir TV).
  • Firefighters in the Syrian Civil Defense extinguished a fire in Baksriya caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via @SyriaCivilDefense).
  • Destructed building in Baksriya caused by an alleged Russian airsrike(via @SyrianCoalition).

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
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3578

Incident date

January 20, 2019

Location

الجانودية, Al Janoudiya, Jisir Al Shughur countryside, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8839, 36.291466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and up to four others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike which reportedly destroyed a bakery in al Janoudiya, local media reported.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “warplanes we believe were Russian bombed al Taqwa automatic bakery in  the north of al Janoudiya village in Idlib governorate, destroying its building and damaging tis equipment. The bakery went out of service, on January 20th.”

@RaedAlSaleh3 added that “an oven and an olive press” were destroyed – and also blamed Russia.

Jisirtv  noted that one civilian was killed. Horrya reported that two workers in the bakery were injured, though Mena-monitor put the number at four.

Providing some context, the Shaam News Network said that the bakery had “recently opened to provide bread to civilians and camp residents in the area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Destruction of the " al Taqwa" bakery, caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via SN4HR).
  • Destruction of a bakery in Al Janoudiya caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via JMC).
  • Destruction of a bakery in Al Janoudiya caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via JMC).
  • Destruction of a bakery in Al Janoudiya caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via JMC).
  • Destruction of a bakery caused by an alleged Russian airstrike (via JMC).

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3576

Incident date

January 17, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 53-year-old man died and up to four of his family members were wounded and rescued from the rubble of their home in Al Lataminah, following an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery shelling by the Assad regime, according to sources on the ground.

Syria.tv noted that the adult male victim, Khaled Karmo Al-Hilal (named by multiple sources) was initially wounded and then died hours later.

One local source reported that there were children among the wounded, although the exact number of children remains unknown.

LCCSY said that artillery shelling killed one civilian and wounded “others”.

According to the Shaam News Network, regime artillery resulted in one civilian death and the injury of an unspecified number of other non-combatants. Baladi also pointed the regime, reporting that it had carried out shelling with “rockets and mortars” from its camp at Qubaybat.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Karmo Al-Hilal
53 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Lataminah (via @SyriaCivilDefense).
  • Khaled Karmo Al-Hilal, age 53, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Lataminah (via @OKKO5Lc4iNiZH6S).
  • Khaled Karmo al Hilal, age 53, was killed in an alleged Russian or regime strike on Al Lataminah (via SN4HR).

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
    2–4
  • 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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3575

Incident date

January 16, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, artillery shelling targeted a civilian house in Kafr Zeita, north of Hama. The resident, a woman, allegedly died of her injuries on January 29th after being hit by a missile on January 16th. 

There were varying reports on the culprit; some sources blamed the Syrian regime while others blamed Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Radia al-Omar Hoshan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3574

Incident date

January 11, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 14-year-old girl was reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Lataminah in northern Hama, according to sources on the ground.

Local sources reported that a woman and her two daughters were wounded and that the girl died from her injuries hours later.

There are varying reports about the exact number of wounded, as some sources reported that only the mother was wounded while another source reported that up to five people were wounded.

Although all sources blamed Russia, some added that the airstrike was conducted by an unmanned armed drone. Airwars understands that Russia doesn’t operate unmanned armed drones in Syria, while the Syrian and Iranian regimes do.

Horrya News blamed an airstrike by the Assad regime for the girl’s death.

Smart added that the girl was hit by “rocket fire” – but didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Rufaida Satouf al Hdeiri
14 years old female from al Latamena town in Hama killed
Mother of Rufaida Satouf al Hdeiri
Adult female from al Latamena town in Hama injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the funeral of a girl alleged killed in a Russian airstrike (via Step News).
  • Funeral of 14 year old Rafida Sattouf al-Hudairi who was alleged killed in a Russian airstrike (via Ala’ Al Deen Ref’at).

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3570

Incident date

January 4, 2019

Location

مزرعة المنطار, Al Mentar farm, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At 5am on January the 4th, an alleged Russian airstrike struck a farm in al-Mentar (Mazra’et Al Mentar) west of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern Idlib countryside injuring seven people, including a child and two women from the village of Al-Jibin, according to local media.

Civil Defense Forces reportedly rescued the family who was trapped under the rubble of their house. According to Halab Today TV, the victims were Iraqi civilians.

Ziad al-Aboud, commander of the civil defense sector in Khan Sheikun, added that this attack was one of three airstrikes with high-explosive missiles launched by a Russian aircraft.

Shabab al latamna reported the injured seven people belong to Omar Al Nimer‘s family, and that they include two children and two women.

The incident occured at 05:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Adult female injured
One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Adult female injured
One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Age unknown injured
One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Child injured
One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Age unknown injured
One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Age unknown injured
One person from Omar al-Nimr's family
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mentar (Mazra’et Al Mentar) farm in Idlib (via Step News).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mentar (Mazra’et Al Mentar) farm in Idlib (via Lenskhanshykon1).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mentar (Mazra’et Al Mentar) farm in Idlib (via Halab Today TV).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mentar (Mazra’et Al Mentar) farm in Idlib (via Syria TV).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Mantar Farm (via Horrya.net).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Mantar Farm (via Horrya.net).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Mantar Farm (via Horrya.net).
  • Syrian Civil Defense forces rescuing survivors of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mantar farm (via Halab Today TV).

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
    7
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]