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
4807 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS2426

Incident date

September 11, 2017

Location

معبار حطلة , Hatla Crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, Mousa ‘Abd al-Salam al-Kharabah, was killed in an airstrike on the Hatla crossing in Deir Ezzor governorate on September 11th 2017, according to local media. It is unclear who was responsible for the strikes. The Violation Documentation Centre in Syria blamed the ‘Syrian government and its militias’, but does not directly identify the belligerent involved.

Russian forces, the Syrian regime’s forces and other militias were reportedly active in the area at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mousa 'Abd al-Salam al-Kharabah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mousa 'Abd al-Salam al-Kharabah was killed in an airstrike on Hatla crossing on September 11 2017. (via Al Natek Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2793

Incident date

December 11, 2017

Location

البوحمد, Al Buhamad, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.786111, 39.436389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was reportedly killed when remnants from an unexploaded rocket detonated. Sources all agreed that the missile was from a previous Russian bombing, though the date of the bombing is unknown.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Ajlouk
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

Incident Code

RS004

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

المكرمية, Al Makrmeya, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8671039, 36.7795765 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that a Russian airstrike at Al Makrmeya had killed a non-combatant. No other details were given.

VDC named an adult male civilian from Makrameih as having been killed by alleged Russian strikes. They also published a graphic photo of his body.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Ahmad Alrajab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Ahmad Alrajab, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Makrmeya (المكرمية), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8671039, 36.7795765. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS164

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Location

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.74424, 36.70394 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets reported the death of one man and the injuring of his wife, following several alleged Russian airstrikes during the evening on the town of Al Rahiba.

However the VDC reported the death of an unnamed civilian male “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Free Syrian Army noted only that an “unidentified martyr died following a bombardment on the town.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Rahiba (الرحيبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.74424, 36.70394. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia made no public mention of airstrikes in Damascus governorate in its report for November 18th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3693

Incident date

May 13, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latmina, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and others injured as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Ma’ardas town in Latamna on May 13th, 2019.

Justice Organization reported that “The citizen Muhammad Ali Al-Jada’a was killed by Russian camp’s artillery shelling, west of the town of Ma’rades, in the city of Latamna in the northern Hama countryside.”

Sources blamed Russian forces and/or the Syrian regime for this incident.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Ali Al-Jada محمد علي الجدعة
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Ali Al-Jada'a was killed by alleged Russian shelling on Ma'ardes in Latamna on May 13th, 2019. (Via Justice Organisation).

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2490

Incident date

September 21, 2017

Location

رسم الطويل, Rasim al Taweel, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.806389, 37.433889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Smart News Agency, there were “dead and wounded as a result of a Russian air bombardment on the village of Rasim al Taweel, east of Hama”.

No other sources civilian harm, but they said that the regime had taken control of the village.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ 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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS262

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed and another civilian injured in an alleged Russian airstrike at Hajeen.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News report on the event. (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 is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS3714

Incident date

May 25, 2019

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Fattira, Idlib governorate, on May 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians was injured.

The Syrian Civil Defense, Step News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a woman was killed in an airstrike on Al Fattira village in Idlib suburbs on May 25th. According to Step News Agency, “a number of civilians” had been injured.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Mrs. Halima al Araibi, from Kafr Aweed village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, was killed as Syrian regime forces dropped barrel bombs on al Fattira village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs.”

The Syrian Civil Defence posted a video, noting that “the body of a woman was recovered in the town of Al Fattira in Idlib countryside, from the rubble of her house yesterday night, after being targeted by an airstrike by warplanes.”

One source attributed the airstrike to Russia, another to the Syrian Regime, while a third source did not attribute blame. Step News Agency referred to “Syrian and Russian warplanes” in their report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Halima al Araibi
Adult female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "#Idlib #Al Fatira now" (via @alialabdalm).
  • Translation: “The body of a woman was recovered in the town of Al-Fateera in Idlib countryside, from the rubble of her house yesterday night, after being targeted by an air strike by warplanes” (via SCD).

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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]