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

RS3501

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

ام المياذن, Um Al Mayathen, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported a number of killed and injured civilians in Um Al Mayathen in Dara’a, Syria on June 29th, 2018 as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes.

Shaam Network said “The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighborhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafs, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Mseifra, Saida, Al Gharia Al Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Maythen, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians.”

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ 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
    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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4106

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

Rakaya, Naqir and Kafr Sanja, Idblin, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian warplanes carried out air raids on the towns of Rakaya, Naqir and Kafr Sanja, Idlib governorate on October 17th 2019, as reported by Shaam Network. Shaam Network mentioned ‘a number of civilian casualties’. According to Syriahr, there is currently no more information on civilian casualties available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4136

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

بلدة معرشورين, Maashuren town, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.667511, 36.727252 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died and two more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maashuren town, according to local media.

The Step News Agency reported: “Russian aircraft targeted the town of Maarshuren in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing three civilians and wounding two others seriously.”

The Shaam News Network also noted a death toll of three civilians – and blamed Russia warplanes. All other sources also identified three civilians as being killed and attributed the strikes to Russia.

The location of the strikes was identified by multiple sources as the outskirts of Maarshuren

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

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
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4174

Incident date

November 15, 2019

Location

حاس, Has, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 15th 2019, an alleged Russian airstrike hit the town of Has in the southern Idlib countryside, allegedly injuring at least one woman and an unspecified number of other civilians.

Shahba Press reported, ‘A woman and other civilians were injured after Russian warplanes raided residential neighbourhoods in the south town of Has’. One source mentioned the use of vacuum missiles in this strike. Local sources also published on social media platforms a video of the moment the airstrike was reported to have hit the town.

This airstrike was one among more than three others reported to have hit towns in the area on the same day.

There are at present no reports which suggest whether there were any civilians killed in this airstrike in Has.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "The moment of the air raid of the Russian warplane on the town of Has in the countryside of Idlib" "لحظة الغارة الجوية للطائرة الروسية على بلدة #حاس بريف #إدلب"

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
    1–2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4208

Incident date

December 1, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike or artillery attack on the Joni neighborhood of Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on the morning of December 1st, 2019.

The injured civilians were identified as “Ali Qamar al-Obeido,” “Omar Muhammad Khair al-Obeido” and “Aboudi Maher al-Obeido” by a number of sources. KMC reported instead that only two had been injured, among them one named “Abdullah Maher Al-Obeido”.

The city was reportedly targeted by four vacuum missile raids taking place between 8.46 – 9:17 (8:46, 8:56, 9:08, 9:17).

While the majority of the sources blamed the attack on Russian Armed Forces, only Syriahr News attributed the attack to regime forces instead, claiming it consisted of both artillery and missile strikes.

The incident occured at 08:46:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Omar Muhammad Khair al-Obeido عمر محمد خير العبيدو
Age unknown male injured
Ali Qamar al-Obeido علي قمر العبيدو
Age unknown male injured
Aboudi Maher al-Obeido عبودي ماهر العبيدو
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A dead cat between the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on December 1st, 2019 (via @almo3tasem91)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4241

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

كفرشلايا, Kafr Shlaya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

The Syrian White Helmets said: “A young civilian was injured and destroyed in civilian homes in the village of Kafr Shalaya, west of Jericho, today, Saturday, as a result of a helicopter belonging to the Assad forces dropping two barrel bombs in the middle of a civilian settlement in the village.”

Smart News Agency reported two civilians were injured in Russian raids on the village.

Images uploaded by @media_idlib show a young man being helped into the back of an ambulance by members of the Syrian White Helmets.

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
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4270

Incident date

December 19, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and at least five civilians were injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019, according to local sources.

The LCCSY reported four Russian airstrikes between 10:36 AM local time and 10:49 AM. In the second airstrike at 10:40 AM, Saleh al-Muhaimid was killed and two civilians were wounded. In the third one at 10:45, three civilians were wounded. @Ahmad_1alshble reported instead that a total of six civilians were injured as a result of the attack on an industrial area of Saraqib.

Zaman Al-Wasl reported that “the civil defense teams retrieved the body of a young man from under the rubble after three hours”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that the airstrikes  destroyed several shops in the area.

Different videos showed the moment the raids hit Saraqib, with smoke rising after the explosion.

The incident occured between 10:36 am and 10:49 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Al Mheimid صالح المحيميد
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Destroyed houses in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019 (via @khaleedalkhteb)
  • Smoke rising in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019 (via @QasiounAr)

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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4306

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed and at least one other civilian was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Hass, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the 22-year-old Muhammad Hasan al Da’if was killed in “a strike carried out by Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes using heavy machine guns on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on January 15”.

Shaam News Network reported that in addition to one civilian death, many were wounded by Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on the village. However, Zaman Al Wasl only identified “another civilian” as being wounded.

Local sources noted that Hass is a civilian area and does not have military importance.

Zaman Al Wasl News detailed Russian warplanes carrying out the attack with LAM39 warplanes and using vacuum missiles while Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Hasan al Da’if
22 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (10) [ 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]