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

RS3327

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 16 and 25 civilians were killed and up to 200 were wounded in aerial and artillery strikes on residential neighbourhoods in the city of Zamalka, Eastern Ghouta. Several sources claimed Russian forces were responsible for the attack, whereas others blamed the Assad regime.

Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, put the initial death count at 16. Siege Watch later wrote on Twitter that “estimated 25 civilians killed in at least 22 airstrikes, 65 barrel bombs and over 500 artillery and mortar rounds. Several hundred wounded.” HalabTodayTV mentioned 20 deadly civilian casualties and spoke of 17 airstrikes and 63 barrel bombs.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the names of three men and one woman who were killed in the airstrikes.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that “17 civilians were killed in an initial toll and more than 90 injured in Russian airstrikes on the town of Zamalka.” @SaifAtrash reported “several hundred” wounded. @ldqCeSzzkM8wJjQ stated that “more than 200” civilians were injured.

Arabi21 reported that activists have said that napalm and phosphorus bombs were used in the raids. The Syrian Civil Defence came to the same conclusion.

According to @N_workMediaHoms “46 airstrikes targeted residential neighborhoods in Zamalka city from the early morning hours until this moment, coinciding with helicopters throwing more than 30 barrels of explosives on the city of Erbeen and several air raids from warplanes.”

Zamanalwsl reported the Syrian regime had been responsible for the airstrikes, whereas the Local Coordination of Committees of Syria blamed Russian forces. Others, such as Erem News, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ameen Abbas
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khair Hasoun
Adult male killed
Mariam Laila
Adult female killed
Tamer Idrees
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 25
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    90–200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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 (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via @Omar_Madaniah).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018. Photo does possibly show human remains (via @siegewatch).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded man after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).
  • Injured receiving medical help after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via Swaida Khabar).
  • Report of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via Al Hadath).
  • Young girl receives treatment in a field hospital after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @AlarabyTV).
  • Victim receiving medical care after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @HalabTodayTV).
  • Wounded man after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

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
    16 – 25
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    90–200
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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

RS3449

Incident date

June 21, 2018

Location

مرعيان, Mar'ayan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed when a bomb from a previous Russian bombing exploded in the village of Mar’ayan  in Idlib, Syria on June 21st, 2018 according to local sources.

Step News Agency tweeted that “Two children were killed in the village of Mar’ayan  in Idlib countryside, as a result of an explosion of a bomb from previous bombing of the village.”

Edlib Media Center, @RFS_meidaoffice, @yaerob_99 and @Mohamed7Borak blamed the Russian forces for this.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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]

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
  • (2 children)
  • 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

RS3027

Incident date

February 17, 2018

Location

مورك, Mourk, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck Mourk, Hama, local sources reported. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame.

Sources reported both air and artillery strikes, adding that “a number” of civilians were left wounded.

According to the sources, no civilians were killed by the shelling.

While Shaam News Network blamed Russia for carrying out both aerial and artillery shelling of the village, Shbaballatamneh3 pointed to “regime artillery.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3539

Incident date

September 4, 2018

Location

البدرية, Al Badriya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.83411, 36.2199 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Badriya on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, more civilians were killed and injured.

@SyriaCivilDefe reported that “a woman was injured and a large number of civilian property was destroyed, after an aerial bombardment targeted the homes of civilians in the village of Al Badriya, near the town of #Mahmal. Civil defence teams went to the site and worked to help the injured and inspect and secure the place.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Observatory had monitored “the death of four people including a man and his wife, and injured about eight others including two women with varying severity, in the shelling on Kafridin and the shelling on the vicinity of Al Janudiyyeh and Al Badriya.” The source did not specify how man civilian casualties fell in Al Badriya.

Al Ariha also reported civilian casualties in Al Badriya but also did not specify a number.

Ebaa News reported that Russian warplanes had targeted schools in the village of Badriya in the morning. According to @Mithaq_plus, the Al Badriya School for Basic Education was targeted.

All sources reported Russia as the belligerent of the airstrike.

Sputnik reported that during the night on September 4th, Russian airforces targeted Al Nusra drones. This seems to be a separate incident, where no civilian harm was reported.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "A woman was injured and a large number of civilian property was destroyed, after an aerial bombardment targeted the homes of civilians in the village of Al-Badria, near the town of # Mahmal. Civil defense teams went to the site and worked to help the injured and inspect and secure the place" (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • An injured woman is carred away by Syrian Civil Defence volunteers after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Badriya on September 4th, 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers helping an injured woman after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Badriya on September 4th, 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Badriya on September 4th, 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2563

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.814269, 36.31994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Smart News Agency reported that five civilians were reportedly wounded by airstrikes, likely to be Russian, on the city of Jisr Al Shoughour and its surrounding villages.

@jesrNEWS reported: “The cancellation of Friday prayers in the city of Jisr al-Shخughour and most of the villages and villages because of the fierce attack on the city and its countryside by the Russian warplanes.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

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
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3468

Incident date

June 27, 2018

Location

داعل, Da'el, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.756529, 36.138453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians, including a woman and three children, were killed and more than 13 others in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Da’el, Dara’a governorate, on June 27th 2018, according to local sources.

@SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that “civilians, including a woman and three children, were martyred and more than 13 others were injured in the city of #Da’el in the western Dara’a countryside, after targeting with missiles from Russian warplanes.”

Sanabka Ahrar identified the victims, four presumably from the same family, as Rima Nasser Al Hariri (1), Mohammed Abdullan Al Hariri (four months old), Raghad Muhammad Al Hariri (2), Fayez Saleh Al Hariri (37) and Alaa Qassem Abu Zaid (26).

The Syrian.Network wrote on Facebook that there were “dozens of wounded.”

Shaam News Network reported that “five civilians, including three children and a woman, were killed in Da’el town in western rural Dara’a by a Russian airstrike targeting residential areas in the centre of the town.”

Nearly all sources blamed Russian forces for the airstrikes, but the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Human Rights Committee blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Rima Nasser Al Hariri ريمة ناصر الحريري
1 years old female killed
Muhammad Abdullah Al Hariri محمد عبدالله الحريري
0 years old male 4 months old killed
Raghad Muhammad Al Hariri رغد محمد حريري
2 years old female killed
Fayez Saleh Al Hariri فايز صالح الحريري
37 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Alaa Qassem Abu Zaid آلاء قاسم أبو زيد
26 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–24
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Image of an infant wounded by alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrikes against Da'el town of June 27, 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Injured child receiving medical help after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the town of Da'el on June 27th 2018 (via Sanabka Ahrar on Facebook).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured child receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the town of Da'el on June 27th 2018 (via Sanabka Ahrar on Facebook).
  • Child in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the town of Da'el on June 27th 2018 (via Sanabka Ahrar on Facebook).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Killed chris in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the town of Da'el on June 27th 2018 (via Sanabka Ahrar on Facebook).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured child receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the town of Da'el on June 27th 2018 (via Myasar Kotiesh Abu Yaman on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the town of Da'el on June 27th 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).

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
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13–24
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3484

Incident date

June 27, 2018

Location

ناحتة, Nahta, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime raids on Nahta in Dara’a, Syria on June 27th, 2018.

Shaam Network reported that “the raids also resulted in  a number of wounded in  Daraa al-Balad, Ghariyah al-Sharqiya, al-Harak, Saida, Nahata, Kahil, Nawa, Tasil, al Soura, Ibta’a, Shaikh Saad, Tafas and al Taibeh.” and blamed Russia for the incident.

However, @Step_Agency accused the regime of the responsibility and tweeted ” The withdrawal of the opposition forces from the town of Nahata, east of Daraa, after heavy and intense air and ground shelling by the regime forces, and reports that the regime has entered the town.”

 

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
  • 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
    Airstrike
  • 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

RS3494

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

كحيل, Kahil, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.616784, 36.266117 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the village of Kahil, east of Dara’a, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, the strikes led to civilian casualties.

Shaam News Network reported that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Dara’a and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafas, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Mseifra, Saida, Gharia, Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Mayan, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”, implying that civilians were possibly harmed in Kahil.

@Step_Agency reported that “intense aerial bombardment with barrels and missiles targets the town of Kahil, east of Daraa, which has been going on for hours, in an attempt by the regime forces to advance into the town.” According to @omarbalkhi5, 15 airstrikes and more than 10 explosive barrels were used. @chessrabaa reported a double raid by the Syrian regime.

@FadilMha blamed Russian forces for the airstrikes.

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

Sources (7) [ 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]