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

RS2824

Incident date

December 28, 2017

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5105879, 36.7138624 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two airstrikes which hit Tahtaya killed three civilians and wounded another three, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes.

Despite @AjamiNetwork reporting there were no civilian casualties, all other sources reported on civilian harm.

According to Baladi News, the victims were pulled out of the rubble by members of the Syrian Civil Defence.

Rozanafm News reported that these victims brought the overall death toll up for December 28th to 22.

Some sources reported that an unspecified number of victims were wounded, however the highest reported figure is three.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

RS2483

Incident date

September 20, 2017

Location

خشام, Khisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, members of the same family, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khisham in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ezzor according to a local source. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the civilian harm and they identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

The sources do not establish a clear date however, a number of other sources reported clashes on the 19th in the area.

Some graphic images published regarding the clashes in the vicinity y Moussa al Omar, shows the victims to have an a’amaq logo on their dog-tags, suggesting they were members of ISIL.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ 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
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3751

Incident date

June 2, 2019

Location

كفرلاته, Kafar Lata, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Lata, Idlib, on June 2nd, 2020, according to local sources. Two other civilians were injured.

Several sources reported civilian casualties as the result of airstrikes on Kafar Lata. The Syrian Civil Defence, among other sources, reported one civilian death. The Syrian Network for Human rights named the victim as Alaa Mahmoud Sahloul.

@muhammad_salhab reported two injured civilians on Twitter. Al Araby wrote that “Civil Defense sources in Idlib said that this morning, a regime warplane dropped explosive missiles at civilian homes in the town of Kafrlata, south of Jericho District, in Idlib countryside, which resulted in civilian casualties and material damage to property.”

Shaam News referred to “Russian air force and Regime helicopter gunships”, while most other sources attributed the strike to the Syrian regime.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Alaa Mahmoud Sahloul علاء محمود سحلول
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Wounded, injured, and extensive destruction, as a result of an air strike by the Russian and Assad occupation airplanes on the town of Kafar Lata in Jabal Al Arba'een, south of Jericho 6/2/2019” (via @Mnar18049738).
  • Translation: “Aerial bombardment of the village of Kafar Lata 2/6/2019, God bless him” (via Waja’ Idlbi).
  • Translation: “Civilian casualties in attacks by the Assad militia on the village of Kafar Lata, south of Idlib, Syria” (via OrientTV).
  • Translation: “Civilian casualties in the brutal shelling of the regime in the village of Kafar Lata in Idlib countryside” (via Qasioun News Agency).

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
    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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3789

Incident date

June 10, 2019

Location

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, a mother and her three children, were reported killed and other civilians injured as a result of heavy artillery in Al Zirba, Aleppo, June 10th. Local sources said the victims belong to the same family.

Syria Civil Defense stated that “a woman and her two children were killed in Al Zirba” in discussion of “a new escalation of the Syrian regime and Russian occupation over the majority of areas in the Syrian north.”

Later, local sources reported that the death toll increased to four. The victim was named as Watania Al-Hussein aged 45, and her three children named as Mays Abboud Al-Hamoud aged 8, Saleh Al-Aboud Al-Hamoud aged 3 and Rasma  Al-Aboud Al-Hamoud aged 2. It seems that Mays died later because of the wounds she sustained as a result of the shelling.

The time of the incident is not clear as some source said it happened in the afternoon while others reported it as happened in the evening.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Watania Al-Hussein وطنية الحسين
45 years old female killed
Mays Abboud Al-Hamoud ميس عبود الحمود
8 years old female killed
Saleh Al-Aboud Al-Hamoud صالح العبود الحمود
3 years old male killed
Rasma Al-Aboud Al-Hamoud رسمة العبود الحمود
2 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

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    A SCD volunteer rescuing a child reportedly injured by Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of three children killed in Syrian regime or Russian forces shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A SCD volunteer rescuing a child reportedly injured by Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Location of Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A mother and three of her children were killed as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @Omar_Madaniah).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian carrying the body of a child reportedly killed with mother and siblings as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @Omar_Madaniah).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A SCD volunteer rescuing a child reportedly injured by Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @blaas083).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the children killed with his mother and siblings as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via @almo3tasem91).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of two children killed as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime shelling on Al-Zarba on June 10th, 2019. (via Gehayb Al Na’imi).

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
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS636

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.810278, 37.252222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal al Dhaman, according to local sources. However Mr Ramadan’s death was also reported for Fbruary 16th, likely making this a double reporting.

DCHRS reported the death of Hameed Radaman from a Russian strike. It also said that his son was killed, but could not be identified.

According to Syrianpc, Russian strikes on Tal al Dhaman killed two civilians and wounded a number more, including women and children. They named Hamid Ramadan as a victim and an unidentified girl.

Hasan Mustafa tweeted that 65-year old Hameed Radaman died along with his 10-year-old grandson – and also blamed Russia.

According to a 40-minute programme by Al Jisr Satellite TV, (video posted above) two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike near Tal al Dhaman.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hameed Ramadan
65 years old male killed
Grandson of Hameed Ramadan
10 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Bulletin reporting on the inciedent. (via, Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3145

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamna, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians was wounded and three were killed due to air and artillery strikes on Al Latamna, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

Although Smart News reported that the aftermath was limited to material damage, Step News reported that some civilians were wounded and three had been killed.

Rockets, artillery and explosive barrel bombs were reported to have been used, and a helicopter was sited by locals.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS3862

Incident date

July 1, 2019

Location

معرة حرمة أو معرتحرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in an airstrike on Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, on July 1st.

According to Step News, “three people were killed as a result of injuries following Russian raids targeting the town of Ma’aret Harma south of Idlib.”

@abuhuzaifa_ stated that two of those killed were Abdullah Mohammed Al-Hajji and Eid Abdul Razzaq Al-Razouk.

Three sources attributed the airstrike to Russian forces, one source named the Syrian regime as the active belligerent, while two others did not positively attribute blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Mohammed Al-Hajji عبدالله محمد الحجي
Adult male killed
Eid Abdul Razzaq Al-Razouk عيد عبدالرزاق الرزوق
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Caption: Three martyrs in Ma'aret Harma south of Idlib as a result of targeting civilian homes with an airstrike followed by missiles by the regime forces.

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 – 3
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS925

Incident date

June 21, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians died and dozens of others were reported wounded following alleged Russian strikes on the town Kafra Hamra, local media reported.

A youtube video by Aldorar al-shyma reported the use of phosphorus bombs, a chemical weapon illegal under International Law, though the source did not apportion blame. [Video no longer available]

HalabTodayTv referred to “napalm incendiary” used by “Russian warplanes” which reportedly struck “the towns of Kafr Hamra and Hraytan and the village of Tal musibin and the Asia and Bureij in the countryside north of Aleppo”. “Stereochemistry” rockets were alleged used by @shahed_alep.

Detail of the location hit was provided by @syria_feed, who alleged “the industry” area of the town had come under fire from warplanes, though it didn’t say who they belonged to.

Civilians affected by the strikes reportedly fled the town, while others took “to the ground floors in buildings, to shelter from the impact of phosphorus bombs”, according to Alweam. The source added that dozens more civilians were suspected wounded, some critically.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "...civilians had to leave their areas and flee, while others resorted to the ground floors in buildings, to take shelter from the impact of phosphorus bombs placed on them" following alleged Russian action on Hraytan (via Alweam)
  • A civilian at the site of a blaze following alleged chemical weapon attacks by Russian aviation (via Qasioun)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]