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

RS3243

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

معرة مصرين, M'ret Misrin, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on M’ret Misrin, according to the Shaam News Network, who blamed both Russian and the regime.

However, @IdlibPlus and @HalabTodayTV reported “several raids”, but neither named the belligerent or mentioned civilian harm.

 

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3244

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

طعوم, Ta'um, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

35.973078, 36.748697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several alleged Russian or regime airstrike wounded an unspecified number of civilians in Ta’um, sources on the ground reported.

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian and Assad warplanes targeted the city of Idlib several raids focused on Al Muthaf area and Souq of Hal, wounding civilians. The city of Taftanaz was also hit by a similar air strike on a kindergarten that left six martyrs and  wounded, and the shelling also hit the towns of Bnesh, Ma’aret Misrin and Ta’um town, causing many civilian casualties”.

Abdalghany.alaryan1 said that regime aircraft struck civilian homes in the town, while tweeted a video of buildings burning following an alleged Russian strike.

 

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
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Watch the first moments of the targeting of the Russian air force to the town of Ta’um in the countryside Idlib, Ghouta burning .. Idlib burning …"

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3230

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Location

بنش, Binnesh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.958429, 36.711587 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly woman was killed and up to three other civilians were injured in airstrikes on Binnesh, local media reported. Most sources attributed the blame to Russia, however, the Violations Documentation Centre blamed the Syrian/Russian alliance.

The woman was named as Muna Hamdoun. On March 11th, Halab Today TV said that she died “at noon” after she was injured in the raids.

According to the Smart News network, a man and “several others” were also wounded. Then man was transferred to a field hospital in the area.

Between six and 10 raids were reportedly, causing “massive destruction to local infrastructure”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female wife of "Kamal Madrek" killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via Smart News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @sonsofrevo)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @sonsofrevo)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @sonsofrevo)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @lh8DP5ak63kpt3L)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Binnish, 11th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)

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 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3231

Incident date

March 11, 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

Eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were injured, in airstrikes on Zamalka, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

Three missiles were fired onto the residential neighbourhood which allegedly killed “six people from one family and two others”.

Eight of the victims – six from the same family – were named by the Violations Documentation Centre, who blamed the “Syrian government and affiliated militias”.

Amer Alref Alshamee reported “a brutal massacre committed by the military aircraft of the Assad forces in the town of Zamlka, who targeted residential neighborhoods in an air strike with three missiles. This killed six people from one family and two others, all  sons of the neighbourhood”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the deceased family were displaced from Jobar neighbourhood, east of Damascus city – and blamed Syria and Russia for their death.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult male killed
15 years old female killed
14 years old female killed
12 years old female killed
7 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (4 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

Sources (12) [ 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
    8
  • (4 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3232

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Location

عين ترما, Ein Tarma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51602, 36.35078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed, and up to 20 more were injured in reported air and artillery strikes on Ein Tarma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

One source, Souriyati, reported that the “regime also targeted the popular market”, causing destruction to shops.

According to @Doumarevolution, “there were martyrs and wounded civilians from the bombing with land to land missiles loaded with cluster munitions

@Damaskiagency regiome said that the regime had shelled Ein Tarma with artillery.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (9) [ 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3236

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and 14 civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Arbeen, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Step News Agency initially reported that “Russian aircraft and helicopters launched several air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels” on the town.

Step later said that there were “more than, 44 Russian air strikes, one of which was loaded with incendiary materials, targeting the city of Arbeen in the eastern Ghouta, which resulted in three deaths, including a woman, the injury of others, and the burning of a warehouse”. It added that “rockets and explosive barrels” were also used.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially gave a death toll of three, but then revised this up to nine, including two women. The source blamed “Syrian/Russian warplanes”.

SN4HR: at least 3 civilians, including a woman, killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on Irbeen city in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs, on March 11, 2018.

However, according to the Shamm News Network – who also pointed to Russia – 14 civilians perished.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 14
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A child wounded due to airstrikes on Arbeen, 11th March 2018. (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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 14
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3233

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.511853, 36.372857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number civilians were wounded and killed, including children, when in alleged Russian airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Kafar Batna, local media reported.

Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported “martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of raids by Russian warplanes on the cities of Zamalka and # Hamouriya and # Kafar Batna in the # Ghouta”.

According to @saqbani1972adam, “many civilians, including children and women, were injured when five cluster rockets were fired at residential areas in the city”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • @syrianorg

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 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3223

Incident date

March 11, 2018

Location

مديرا, Madera, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.544613, 36.3861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, named as Ahmad Maerouf al-Malla, was killed due to airstrikes in Madera, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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