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

RS3022

Incident date

February 13, 2018

Location

عيناتا , Enata, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.82262, 36.48483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians, including up to two children and one woman, were killed while as many as six civilians were wounded following alleged Russian shelling of Enata, western Idlib, local media reported.

In this event, several sources reported that Russian warplanes had carried out airstrikes in Enata. The twitter account Hassan Darwisho mentioned that the strikes hit a camp in the village.

Several sources reported that the strikes had killed two civilians, while some specified that the victims were a woman and a child. As the only one, Step News Agency reported three fatalities; two children and one woman.

Between two and six civilians were left wounded, according to the local reports.

All known sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to Russia.

It should be noted that the reports from Enata match the previous event, R2825, that took place in an unnamed village in Idlib, also on February 13th. The unnamed village is located 15 km from Idlib, while Enata is 20 km from Idlib. Therefore, there is a possibility that the two incidents might be the same.

However, as of now, they will be treated separately.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The Civil Defense trying to rescue wounded civilians from under the rubble following the alleged Russian strike in Enata, Idlib, February 13th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • News report from Enata, Idlib, as it was subject to alleged Russian shelling og February 13th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)

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 strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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

RS3021

Incident date

February 12, 2018

Location

قرية قرب اريحة, Village near Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8141415, 36.6017972 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, Smart News Agency reported that alleged Russian warplanes had carried out aerial shelling in a village near Jericho, 15 km south of Idlib, killing one child and one woman, as well as wounding six others.

Smart News Agency cited activists on the ground who believed that the warplanes had launched four rockets.

The exact name of the village is unclear but is described as “near Ariha.”

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3020

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly killed and wounded following an Assad or Russian-waged aerial and artillery strike in Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local sources reported.

Multiple sources reported about shelling in Harasta, that according to Orient News’ correspondent, took place during the night and included “dozens of artillery shells in addition to six surface-to-surface missiles.”

Jsirtv reported that the city was hit by more than 60 artillery and missile shells, notably in residential areas.

However, few mentioned whether the heavy shelling caused civilian harm. LCCSY noted that shelling in various parts of eastern Ghouta, including Harasta, had caused “martyrs and wounded civilians.”

Both Ghouta Media Center and Damascus Media Center identified the Syrian regime as responsible, while LCCSY indicated Russian culpability.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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

RS3019

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men were killed and several wounded as Saqba in eastern Ghouta, Damascus was struck by aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported.

According to Jsirtv, Saqba was subject to “heavy air bombardment hit residential neighbourhoods,” which the Syria Civil Defence reported took place during the night.

While Zaman-al Wasl only mentioned one fatality, the remaining sources reported two victims, both named by Damascus Media Center.

Several civilians were also left wounded, hereof at least one woman as depicted in a video published by the Civil Defence.

While most reported aerial shelling, others, including Shaam News Network, reported that airstrikes were accompanied by  ground-launched missiles and heavy artillery shells.

Orient News and Saqba Revolution attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while LCCSY indicated Russian involvement.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male from Zebedin town killed
Age unknown male from Deir al-Asafir town killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling among wounded civilians, Saqba, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)

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 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
    1 – 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3018

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

كفر بطنا, Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Aerial and artillery shelling of Kafr Batna, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, wounded two civilians, one woman and one child, local media reported.

According to multiple sources, at least one woman and one child were wounded in what Jsirtv described as “heavy air bombardment hit residential neighbourhoods in Kafr Batna.” Reportedly, the strikes hit a popular market, as noted by Abu Alhuda.

Several sources mentioned both aerial and artillery shelling. Shaam News Network, for example, reported  “heavy air raids accompanied by the shelling with rockets and heavy artillery shells”.

Only a few sources apportioned blame, and those who did were conflicting. Both HalabTodayTV and Masar Press Net pointed to the Syrian regime, while LCCSY indicated that Russia was responsible.

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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defence working to rescue civilians following the contested shelling of Kafr Batna, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Abu Alhuda)

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 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3017

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed along with “dozens” wounded as Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to alleged Assad or Russian-waged aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported.

The shelling, which  hit densely populated residential areas, reportedly caused much civilian harm and damage. Orient News’ correspondent reported how both heavy air and artillery shelling had killed five civilians, starting fires and destroying homes and other properties.

Several sources mentioned the death of five civilians. Jsirtv, Shaam News Network and @SCDrifdimashq added that two children and one woman were among the fatalities. All five fatalities were identified by name by @SCDrifdimashq.

Tawfiq_Suhaib, who counted around 15 air-to-ground missiles, said that “dozens” of civilians were left wounded.

Shaam News Network noted both air and artillery shelling and added that the so-called “Phil” surface-to-ground missiles were launched. According to Yasser Doumani, the shelling had taken place during the night.

Only a few sources identified the responsible, and those who did were conflicted. Orient News pointed to the Syrian regime while Local Coordination Committees of Syria blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The remains of buildings in Douma, Damascus, after being subject to the contested air and artillery shelling on February 11th, 2018 (via Tawfiq_Suhaib)
  • The remains Douma, Damascus, after being subject to the contested air and artillery shelling on February 11th, 2018 (via Step News Agency)
  • The remains Douma, Damascus, after being subject to the contested air and artillery shelling on February 11th, 2018 (via Yasser Doumani)
  • One of the child victims of the contested shelling in Douma, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via @SCDrifdimashq)

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 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
    5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3016

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one male civilian was killed and several other non-combatants wounded following alleged Russian or Assad-waged aerial and artillery shelling Hamouriya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

Orient News’ correspondent described how strikes believe to have been conducted by the regime hit residential areas in the countryside town, killing one person and injuring “others.”

The remaining sources echoed the death of one civilian adding that several civilians were wounded.

Shaam News Network added that besides from aerial shelling, surface-to-ground missiles were also launched.

Sources were conflicted in terms of culpability. Orient News and Shaam News Network pointed to the Syrian regime, while Alaa Alahmad and Local Coordination Committees of Syria blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Glimpses of some of the destruction the contested shelling caused in Hamouriya, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Nidaa)
  • The moment Hamouriya, Damascus, is hit by contested warplane shelling, February 11th, 2018 (via ALaa Alahmad)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The Civil Defence working to rescue civilians following the contested bombardment in Hamouriya, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • The contested bombardment of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Damascus Civil Defense)
  • The contested bombardment of Hamouriya, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Damascus Civil Defense)
  • The Civil Defence working to rescue civilians following the contested bombardment in Hamouriya, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via SCDrifdimashq)
  • The Civil Defence working to rescue civilians following the contested bombardment in Hamouriya, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via SCDrifdimashq)

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 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
    1
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3015

Incident date

February 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

Assad or Russian-waged shelling of Arbeen, eastern Ghouta Damascus, both from the ground and air, killed at least one child and one woman, and wounded several others, local media reported.

Damascus Media Center reported that 15 airstrikes and five ground-to-ground missiles had struck Arbeen since the morning, targeting residential neighbourhoods. Orient News also reported the use of the same type of surface-to-ground missiles.

Several reports mentioned that the shelling had caused civilian harm. Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that shelling hit a range of towns in eastern Ghouta, including Arbeen, resulting in “martyrs and wounded”.

Specifically, one child was reported killed by the Civil Defence. Additionally, a tweet  Om Gazy mentioned the death of an unidentified mother.

Several civilians were reportedly left wounded, including the two children of the deceased mother, as reported by Om Gazy.

While the majority of sources identified the Assad regime as the responsible, the incident remains contested, as Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSY) attributed blame to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The moment Arbeen, Damascus, is being hit by Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes, February 11th, 2018 (via Arbeen Youtube)
  • The body of child Suhaib al-Zaghloul was found after days of digging following the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus on February 11th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defence)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A two-months-old baby who had his feet amputated following the contested strikes in Arbeen, Damascus, that reportedly killed his mother and wounded his sister Batul, February 11th, 2018 (via Om Gazy)
  • Aerial shelling of Arbeen, Damascus on February 11th, 2018, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime (via Ghouta Media Center)
  • Glimpses of the destruction caused by the contested shelling of Arbeen, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Step News Agency)

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 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
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]