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

RS2081

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

الضاهرية, Dahiriya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.878081, 36.520551 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to four civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Dahiriya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were women or girls. For example, AMC reported two women were killed, whereas Al Jazeera reported two girls were killed. It cannot be ruled out that two women and two girls were killed.

An unspecific numbers of wounded civilians were reported wounded form multiple sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ 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 April 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (0–2 children0–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2082

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.753927, 36.770468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed, and as many as three were wounded, in an airstrike on Khan Al-Subul. All sources either blamed Russia for the raids or did not attribute any blame.

According to Al Jazeera, those who were wounded were left in a serious condition, and there was considerable material damage – and livestock were killed.

Images published show guided missiles striking the vicinity. Syria News Desk reported that there were more than a dozen missiles fired.

A commander of the Civil defence team in the town of Sarakib told Smart News “a man and two children were wounded by aerial bombardment on the town of neighbouring Khan Al-Subul, injured persons were rushed to nearby medical facilities”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male from Sarmeen killed
Child male from Khan Subul killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A guided missile heading towards Khan Al-Subul, 6th April 2017. (via Idlib event)
  • A guided missile heading towards Khan Al-Subul, 6th April 2017. (via Idlib event)
  • A guided missile heading towards Khan Al-Subul, 6th April 2017. (via Idlib event)

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 April 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2084

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

ابو حنايا, Abo Hanaya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.071505, 37.326734 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported there were “Dead and wounded by Russian air strikes on the village of Abu Hanaya east of Hama”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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

Russia has not reported any strikes between April 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2083

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles. 

One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however most sources alleged an adult male was killed in his car which was struck.

There was confusion amongst sources as to whether or not this attack was a chloride gas attack or not. Many sources reported it was, due to reports of a “foul smell” and footage of bright yellow smoke clouds. It has been since reported by both Smart and Thiqa News Agencies that a diesel car was struck in the raid, which is what caused the huge smoke and fires.

Additionally, it was reported that barrel bombs, drones and missiles were used in the raid.

According to Thiqa news, civilian homes were destroyed.

Syria-mirror reported that there were several strikes on Lataminah which struck residential homes and wounded “others”. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike on Lataminah, 6th April 2017. (via Alhadath)
  • The exact moment an airstrike on Lataminah, 6th April 2017. (via Mahmood Al-Hamwi)
  • Zayed Awad al Rajab, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Lataminah, 6th April 2017. (via VDC)

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 April 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
    1 – 6
  • (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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2085

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.374143, 36.601896 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as seven civilians were killed, and seven civilians were wounded, following an airstrike on Kafr Zita. Sources were confused as to who was to blame, some blamed Russian warplanes, others the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) blamed the Syrian-Russian alliance. 

There was also confusion as to how many casualties there were in the incident. Step News reported that two people were killed. SN4HR reported “ at least 3 civilians (2 children and a woman)”. However, Smart news reported that as many as seven were killed. The Violations Documentation Centre named three fatalities, and Basel Darweesh named another victim. 

According to Alaan news, civilians were buried under the rubble. There were allegedly, according to sources, some serious injuries due to the extent of the residential damage. 

Syria-mirror reported that “rocket-propelled grenades” were to blame, which struck residential communities.

Sources claimed that the three civilians named by VDC were been displaced to Kafr Zita northern Hama from Halfaya. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Child female killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Kafr Zita, 6th April 2017. (via Al Jazeera)

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 April 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
    2 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2087

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.549065, 36.644537 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 civilians were killed and six others wounded following an airstrike in Heesh, Idlib, according to local media sources – though it is not clear who was responsible for the event. Whilst most sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes, some mentioned Assad’s regime and others didn’t positively identify a belligerent.

Smart News, who placed the death toll at 16, blamed Russia for the attack, reporting: “Sixteen civilians, including children and women, were killed and wounded Friday [April 7th] when a Russian air force bombed the town of Heesh, 55 km south of Idlib, north Syria”.

Idlib Media Centre, however, had a more conservative figure and placed the death toll at nine civilian casualties. It also attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes who had used vacuum missiles.

The only health centre that provides free care in the town was struck in the raid, according to a correspondent for RFS Media, who also attributed responsibility for the event to Assad’s regime.

Anatolia News Agency were quoted in many of our sources saying that many of those killed and injured in this attack were displaced from other towns in Idlib and Hama.

The Civil Defence reported that of the six wounded in the attack, there were two women and one child.

There was some confusion over the time of the attack. Of the sources that suggested a time of day, those who placed responsibility for the event with Russia reported that it happened at dawn, whilst those who said that it was Assad’s regime reported that it was a night-time attack. It was therefore not clear whether these were two separate incidents.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult female Wife of Basil Nasser killed
Adult female killed
Adult female Wife of Hamdu Abu Abu killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 16
  • (2 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a contested airstrike in Heesh, Idlib, 7 April 2017 (Via: Smo-sy)
  • The aftermath of a contested airstrike in Heesh, Idlib, 7th April 2017. (Via: Shaam News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: The Syrian Civil Defense in Heesh, Idlib rescued the children from the rubble of their homes.
  • Translation: A warplane commits a massacre in the town of Heesh in Idlib
  • Jisr TV.
  • The aftermath of an airstrike in Heesh, Idlib. 7th April 2017 (Via: All4Syria)
  • Up to 16 civilians were killed in a contested airstrike in Heesh, Idlib, 7th April 2017. (Via:All4Syria)
  • The destruction in Heesh, Idlib following an airstrike on 7th April 2017 (Via: Maara-now)
  • The destruction in Heesh, Idlib following an airstrike on 7th April 2017 (Via: Maara-now)
  • The destruction in Heesh, Idlib following an airstrike on 7th April 2017 (Via: Maara-now)
  • The destruction in Heesh, Idlib following an airstrike on 7th April 2017 (Via: Maara-now)
  • The destruction in Heesh, Idlib following an airstrike on 7th April 2017 (Via: Maara-now)
  • The rescue operations after a contested airstrike in Heesh, Idlib. 7th April 2017 (Via: SyrianPC)
  • The damage from an airstrike in Heesh, Idlib. 7th April 2017. (Via: RFS)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Al-Assad and Putin planes kill more civilians, killing 9 civilians, including children, in the town of Heesh
  • Translation: A renewed Russian shelling on the countryside of Idlib - signs of a massacre in Heesh

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 April 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
    9 – 16
  • (2 children5 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–7
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2088

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were named as being killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in al Latamna, Hama. 

The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed their deaths as a result of “warplane shelling” from “Russian troops”. The death toll included one child and one woman.

The only other known source that reported on this event was the Syrian Human Rights Committee in their daily report of human rights violations. With no further information given, it seemed as though they had used the VDC as their source, meaning that this event must be categorised as weak in Airwars’ methodology.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ 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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2089

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.811903, 36.202275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly injured following an airstrike in Bdama, Idlib, according to local media sources. It is not clear who was responsible for the event, whilst the majority of the sources blamed Russia, one mentioned the Assad regime.

Step News reported that “Russian air force carried out a massive airstrike targeting the town of Bdama in the western countryside of Idlib”. This was corroborated by Idlib Media Centre who added that it was two civilians that were injured.

However, one source – @ahmad_haj_bakri, blamed the Assad regime for the event. In a tweet, he said: “In response to the American bombardment, the Air Force of the Assad gang is bombing three towns in the western town of Badama in the western suburb of Idlib.”

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
    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]

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 April 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
    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 (4) [ collapse]