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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
3565 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS1920

Incident date

February 23, 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

As many as four civilians were killed – and seven others were wounded – in an airstrike which struck residential homes and Walid Shaaban School in Jisir Al-Shoghour, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some blaming Russia and the others pointing to the Syrian regime.

According to multiple sources, homes, shops and roads were destroyed in the raid. Images show fires in the vicinity in the aftermath of the airstrike.

Additionally, due to the extent of damage, many bodies were being dug up from the rubble by members of the civil defence.

Victims were taken to field hospitals.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment after an alleged raid on Jisir Al-Shoghour, 23rd Feb 2017. (via Idlib Media center)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisir Al-Shoghour, 23rd Feb 2017. (via Nawrasnews)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisir Al-Shoghour, 23rd Feb 2017. (via Nawrasnews)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisir Al-Shoghour, 23rd Feb 2017. (via Nawrasnews)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Jisir Al-Shoghour, 23rd Feb 2017. (via Nawrasnews)

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 specific strikes between February 1st -31st 2017.

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
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1921

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Location

الناجية, Al-Najia, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were killed – and as many as five were injured – in alleged airstrikes which struck residential homes in Al-Najia. All sources blamed Russia, apart from one source which blamed the Syrian regime.

One source reported that there were three Russian raids which caused huge material damage to residential homes and roads.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an alleged Russian or Syrian regime raid on Al-Najia, 23rd Feb 2017. (via Qasioun)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Al-Najia

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1919

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Location

جبل البلعاس, Al-Bila'as mountain, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.8964056, 37.5909674 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported the death of one civilian and the injury of others as a result of alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Bila’as mountain.

It was reported that the aerial bombardment was concentrated on the area around al Bila’as Mountains near Akeirbat in Hama, central Syria.

Allegedly Russian warplanes struck a camp for displaced people with cluster bombs in the vicinity Al Bila’as – 100 km southeast of the city of Hama – which resulted in the death of one displaced person. They reported that four civilians, including women and children, were wounded.

There are no other details at this time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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 specific strikes between February 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1918

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Location

الجابرية, Al-Jabriya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.7988165, 36.8560061 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or five civilians died and four or five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the village of Al-Jabriya in Hama, according to sources on the ground. Fourteen militants from the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham were also claimed killed.

AMC reported that “four paramedics were killed and another was wounded” in a morning airstrike on the village. Halab News put the death toll at five.

Multiple other sources reported that a group of journalists was struck, leading to the death of one of them (Bara’’a Hallak, known as Abu al Yazid Taftanaz) who was the Al Jisr channels correspondent and also reportedly the former media representative for Ahrar al Sham, the Islamic Freedom Movement. A second Al Jisr correspondent was named as wounded – along with four other correspondents from media organisations including Assi Press, Orient News and the Smart News Agency.

According to Rozana, “a media activist was killed and three other media activists were injured on Wednesday [Feb 22nd] as a result of a raid on Al-Jabriya, believed to belong have been carried out by the regime. The media activists were covering the fighting in the northern Hama countryside.

“The satellite channel Al-Jisr named its correspondent Mohammed Yazid ‘Abu al-Yazid al-Tafnazzi’ as killed in an air raid while he was covering events in the northern Hama countryside. Additionally, Orient TV reported that its correspondent Saif al-Abdullah was injured by an air strike targeting a gathering of media activists in Hama.

“According to the Smart News Agency, the air raid  led to the injury of itys correspondent Mohammed al-Hweesh. He suffered shrapnel wounds in the abdomen and the heel of the foot. At the time, the correspondent of Assi Press, Iyad Abu al-Joud, was also slightly injured in the strike”.

Smart Provided further details on the condition of its correspondent Mohammed al-Hweesh, stating that “doctors had to amputate his left leg, and  he underwent an operation on the abdomen to remove shrapnel. He also suffered a fracture in his right foot.” Smart said that the regime was likely responsible for the strike.

However, Syria News Desk pointed to both “Russian and regime warplanes”. It reported that 1″4 members  of the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham, four paramedics and a media activist were killed and four journalists were injured” in the airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Dheban al-Dubaie
Adult male 'a nurse from the village of al-Mughayir' killed
Bara’’a Hallak, known as Abu al Yazid Taftanaz
Adult male correspondent of the Al Jisr channel and former media representative for Ahrar al Sham, the Islamic Freedom Movement killed
Saif al-Abdullah
Adult male correspondent of Orient News injured
Mohammed al-Hweesh
Adult male correspondent for Smart - shrapnel wounds in the abdomen and the heel of the foot injured
Iyad Abu al-Joud
Adult male Assi Press correspondent injured
Mohammed Ali
Age unknown male correspondent injured
Tim Al-Yousef
Adult male Al-Jisr correspondent injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

  • Muhammad Dheban al-Dubaie, a nurse from the village of al-Mughayir, killed in an alleged regime strike on Al Jabriya village, Feb 22nd 2017.
  • Bara’’a Hallak, known as Abu al Yazid Taftanaz, killed in a strike on Al-Jabriya, feb 22nd (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • Another image of journalist Bara’’a Hallak, known as Abu al Yazid Taftanaz, published by Rozana)
  • Saif al-Abdullah, a journalist working for Orient who was wounded in the strike on Al-Jabriya, Feb 22nd (via Orient)
  • A journalist wounded in the strike on Al-Jabriya, Feb 22nd (via Orient)
  • Another journalist wounded in the Feb 22nd strike on Al-Jabriya (via HNN)

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 February 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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

RS1915

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

As many as six civilians were killed – and dozens more were wounded – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Misrin, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, however some others did not attribute blame while others pointed to the Syrian regime.

According to reports, three rockets – allegedly vacuum missiles – struck residential housing. Two sources, however, reported that Martyr Mohamad Bath Hospital was struck by the Syrian regime. 

Many sources reported that members of the Civil Defence were digging civilians out of the rubble, hours after the incident. Reportedly, there were many missing civilians, and many who were seriously injured in the attack. One source reported that many women and children were included amongst the wounded. Civilians were admitted to field hospitals.

Two of the civilians remained unidentified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Fawwaz Saoud
Age unknown injured
Raghad Saoud
Age unknown injured
Bashar Saoud
Age unknown transferred to Turkey injured
Aya Abd al Hakim al Qaim
Age unknown transferred to Turkey injured

The victims were named as:

Saleh Kattab
Age unknown killed
Obeida Ghafir
Age unknown killed
Rima Haj Hamidi
Age unknown killed
The wife of Abd al Hai Khalil
Adult female killed
Mohammad Hikmat Mou’arrak
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Moments after an alleged airstrike on Maarat Misrin, 21st Feb 2017. (via Saeed Al-Asi)
  • The exact moment an alleged airstrike targeted Maarat Misrin, 21st Feb 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike targeted Maarat Misrin, 21st Feb 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike targeted Maarat Misrin, 21st Feb 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike targeted Maarat Misrin, 21st Feb 2017. (via Idlib Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians bodies being pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged airstrike which targeted Maarat Misrin, 21st Feb 2017. (via All4Syria)

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 specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • 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

RS1916

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

حقل شاعر, Shaer oil field, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.896111, 37.945 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that Russian warplanes “launched missile strikes on Al Sha’er oil field, which resulted in the burning of three oil tankers, killing the driver and wounding two other riders”.

There are no other details at this time.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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 specific strikes between February 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1917

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

المشتل, Al-Mashtal, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.113098, 36.754417 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mashtal, according to a single source.

The Smart News Agency reported “… raids struck al-Mashtal neighborhood in the city of Palmyra, wounding two civilians and destroying houses in the area.”

2baddi reported that the planes struck the mountain range adjacent to the archaeological fortress of Palmyra.

But Alraelradio said there had been “Syrian-Russian joint military” raids on ISIS sites in Palmyra – though neither this source nor 2baddi mentioned civilian harm.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

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 specific strikes between February 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1914

Incident date

February 21, 2017

Location

الصور, As Suwar, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.5081949, 40.6549072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 46 civilians were killed, and up to 50 were wounded, in an airstrike on As Suwar which struck a market and coach station. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame at all, reporting that the planes were unidentifiable.

Sources reported that not only was a market struck, but also a coach station with buses carrying civilians. Another source reported that six cars carrying food, including vegetables, were destroyed in the raid – along with shops and residential homes.

Many sources reported that the wounded civilians were in a serious condition, therefore the number of deaths was likely to rise significantly. The wounded were transferred to a hospital in Abu Kamal. Syria News Desk added that many children were wounded in the airstrikes. 

More than one source reported that those killed in the shelling were mostly workers from the market, who were originally from Raqqa – likely displaced.

Additionally, many of the bodies were unidentifiable due to the casualties being burned and “charred” in the flames.

Sharqiya Voice gave the highest death toll, of 46.

One source reported that the vicinity had been under ISIS control.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yazan jaber Abu Awwad
Child male killed
Ibrahim Hassan Al-Mohammed
Adult male killed
Son of Ibrahim Hassan Al-Mohammed
Adult male killed
Ahmad Sa’id Al-Ali
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 46
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–50
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an alleged Russian raid targeted Sour, 21st February 2017. (via Jisirtv)
  • Ahmad Said al Ali, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Sour, 21st February 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

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 specific strikes between January 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 46
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30–50
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]