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

RS2878

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Location

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.8605148, 36.9862043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that there were, “Three martyrs and several wounded as a result of the targeting of the Russian air force in the town of Jazraya in southern rural Aleppo.”

Despite this, one comment on the post reported that there was nothing in Jazraya on the 10th, and asked the administration to delete the post.

Airwars grades this incident as “Weak”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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

RS2884

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A mother and her son were killed and as many as four other civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit oil stalls in Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia.

Sources said that two rocket strikes caused huge fires, and much material damage.

Footage shows parachute missiles falling on the vicinity including the exact moment they struck.

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence cleared up the aftermath and searched for victims within the fires of the oil stalls.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amina al Sheikh Ibrahim
Adult female mother killed
Emad al Sheikh Ibrahim
Child male son killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Parachute missiles drop on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Smart News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Ebaa News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Ebaa News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Yahya Ahmad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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

RS2875

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Location

ابو الظهور, Abu Al-zuhur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.738034, 37.047858 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as eight civilians were killed – including four from one family – as well as others wounded in airstrikes which hit Abu Al-zuhur. Sources mostly blamed Russian warplanes, however one source did blame the Syrian regime. Additionally, local media reported that “explosive barrels” were used, a weapon known to be used by the Assad regime.

The raid was described by one source as a “massacre”. Others referred to it as an “intensive raid”.

Footage shows the body of a woman being dragged from the rubble. Other images published shows civilians being treated in a medical facility for their wounds.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (1 child3 women)
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a woman is pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Abu Al-zuhur, 9th Jan 2018. (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Abu Al-zuhur, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Coalition)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on bu Al-zuhur, 9th Jan 2018. (via Aleppo civil defence)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on bu Al-zuhur, 9th Jan 2018. (via Aleppo civil defence)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on bu Al-zuhur, 9th Jan 2018. (via Aleppo civil defence)

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (1 child3 women)
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS2874

Incident date

January 9, 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

Between nine and 23 civilians including as many as 13 children and seven women were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in air and artillery strikes which hit a residential vicinity in Hamouriya, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes, some attributing blame to Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime.

“Dozens” were reported wounded, however there are currently no specific numbers.

The vicinity was, according to local media, struck with parachute missiles, causing an entire residential building to collapse.

Sources reported that many civilians were trapped under the rubble. Some footage released shows the body of a baby girl being pulled from the rubble. Many other photos published by local media show injured civilians receiving treatment in a medical facility in the aftermath of the raid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farah Mohiuddin Abbas
Age unknown killed
Muhannad Mohiuddin Abbas
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Osama Abbas
Child male killed
Mujahid Osama Abbas
Child male killed
Maram al-Qusayr
Child killed
Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Abbas
Child male killed
Maria Sheikh Suleiman
Age unknown killed
Kawthar Abdullah Abbas
Age unknown killed
Al-Qanbari
Age unknown killed
Sana Mahmoud Rustom
Age unknown killed
Aisha Rustam
Age unknown killed
Mowaffaq Abdullah Abbas
Age unknown killed
Osama Ahmed Abbas
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 23
  • (7–13 children4–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Injured civilians are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Alaa Alahmad)
  • Injured civilians are pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Zaman Alwasl)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby girl is pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Al Jazeera)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby girl is pulled out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Smart News Agency)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • A burial in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • A burial in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • A burial in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • A burial in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via SN4HR)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of an alleged Russian an Syrian regime airstrike on Hamouriya, 9th Jan 2018. (via Smart)

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 type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 23
  • (7–13 children4–7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2873

Incident date

January 9, 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

One or two civilians were reported killed and others were injured due to air and artillery strikes on Harasta. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia while one source blamed the Syrian regime.

Women and children were included amongst the injured, however no specific umbers were reported.

Baladi News specified that there were as many as 17 airstrikes.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an air or artillery strike hit the vicinity of Harasta, 9th Jan 2018 (via Almayadeen)

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 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2872

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Location

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.8605148, 36.9862043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly killed and five were injured in airstrikes which struck Jazraya, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime. One source blamed “warplanes” but didn’t identify them.

Images published by various local media show civilians being dragged from the rubble. One source reported that civilians were taken to nearby medical facilities to receive treatment for their wounds.

Overall, there were four strikes on the vicinity, according to media.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • An injured child in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Jazraya, Aleppo, 9th Jan 2018. (via Enab Baladi)
  • The aftermath of the airstrikes on Jazraya, Aleppo, 9th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Jazraya, Aleppo, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Jazraya, Aleppo, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • An injured civilian in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Jazraya, Aleppo, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • The aftermath of the airstrikes on Jazraya, Aleppo, 9th Jan 2018. (via Halab Today TV)

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2877

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians, including a child and a member of the Syrian Civil Defence, were wounded following a double airstrike on Al-Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the Syrian regime while others blamed Russia.

According to local media, a child was injured in the first strike and a member of the Civil Defence was injured in a second strike whist attempting to rescue civilians from the original strike.

Media reported that “high explosive rockets”, as many as 100, were used on the vicinity, causing damage to residential homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the exact moment the strike occurred, 9th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • Footage showing the exact moment the strike occurred, 9th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • Footage showing the exact moment the strike occurred, 9th Jan 2018. (via Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • A member of the Syrian Civil Defence who was wounded in the airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)
  • A member of the Syrian Civil Defence who was wounded in the airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)

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 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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2876

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Location

الجديدة, Al-Jadida, east of Abu al Dhouhour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.700000, 36.700000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eight civilians were reported killed and “dozens” were wounded in what has been described as a massacre by local media. Sources said that airstrikes struck the vicinity of Al-Jadida and it was contested as to who was to blame. Most reportage attributed blame to Russia, however, there are also allegations blaming the Syrian regime.

Four women were included in the death toll, as well as an unspecific number of children.

Sources reported that shelling and “explosive barrels” were used to hit the vicinity.

Zaitoun Mag reported that “regime forces were still making progress in the villages of Idlib and Hama”.

There are no other details at this time.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al-Jadida, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syrian Coalition)

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]