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

RS2520

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

قرية الكفير, Al-Kafeer, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.043867, 36.37178 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians, including one to two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the village of Al-Kafeer in the Jisr al-Shoughour area of the western countryside of Idlib, according to local sources and activists.

Overall, “17 civilians were killed and 42 others injured in the city of Jisr al-Shughour today as a result of the air raids launched by Russian and Syrian aircraft”, Zaitoun Mag reported.

Both Al Latamna Youth and the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the estimate of two killed in the airstrikes while Smart News Agency gave the higher estimate of four killed.

All three sources that reported on the incident, including Smart News Agency and Syrian Network for Human Rights, identified Russian planes as likely to have carried out the airstrikes against Al-Kafeer.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Hassan Kordi
Age unknown female killed
Saif al Deen Hasan al Kordi
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment airstrikes hit Al-Kafeer , 25th Sept 2017. (via Adnan Oso)

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
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2519

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

قرية تل حلاوة, Tal Halawa, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.105904, 38.125848 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Tal Halawa in the eastern countryside of Idlib, as reported by local sources.

According to Al Latamna Youth, the civilian that was killed had been displaced from the village of Qasr Abu Samra in the eastern countryside of Hama.

Al Latamna Youth was the only source to report on the incident and they identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salom Naif al-Ibraheem (65 years)
65 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Salom Naif al-Ibraheem (65 years), killed in airstrikes.
  • The aftermath of airstrikes.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2518

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.904042, 36.726111

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhoods of Sarmin in Idlib governorate, according to a local source.

Five raids were reportedly carried out.

Step News Agency did not publish a specific estimate of how many civilians were injured, however they indicated it was more than one. Step News identified Russian forces as responsible for carrying out several airstrikes against Sarmin.

It was reported that, “Russian terror aircraft targets tanks loaded with “fuel” in the city of # Sermin countryside # Idlib, which led to the outbreak of large fires in the region.”

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment airstrikes hit Sarmin.
  • The exact moment airstrikes hit Sarmin.
  • The exact moment airstrikes hit Sarmin.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2517

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and they identified Russian forces as responsible for the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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

RS2516

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.062057, 36.871512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two girls were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Halab in southwestern Aleppo, according to a local source. SOHR however blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.

Step News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and while they did not report a specific estimate of injuries, they indicated that it was more than one by using the plural. Step News Agency identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The airstrikes in Kafr Halab.
  • Two girls were injured in airstrikes.

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
    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

RS2515

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

البشيرية, al Bashiriya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.853376, 36.405749 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed in an airstrike on al Bashiriya, according to local media.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, “three sibling children killed in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on al Bashiriya village in Idlib governorate western suburbs on September 25, 2017.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omer Hikmat Abd al-Qader
Child male killed
Yasmin Hikmat Abd al-Qader
Child female killed
Abd al-Raheem Hikmat Abd al-Qader
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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

RS2523

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

محمبل, Muhambal, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.784376, 36.468902 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a girl, was killed and at least five others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Muhambal in Idlib governorate, according to local sources.

The “intensive air-raids” consisted of rockets.

Some sources did not mention civilian casualties but did confirm bombing in the vicinity.

One of the comments under the video shared by Baladi News, by someone called Mohammad al Sheikh says, “During these terrifying moments, I was with my wife and my son Khalil close to the site of targeting. After a year I say: “may god preserve the town of Muhambal safe, I am from Damascus but was treated brilliantly by the locals. We felt like we were among our people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female From Mar'ayan village killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Salam al Shaghri, a girl killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Muhambal on September 25, 2017 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • The moment airstrikes hit Muhambal, 25th sept 2017. (via Baladi News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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

RS2522

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

بداما, Bdama, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians, including a child, were killed and up to 11 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes against the town of Bdama in the western village of Jisr al-Shoughour, according to local sources.

The initial estimate was that only one civilian, a child, had died but another civilian died the following day, September 26th, from his wounds sustained during the airstrike.

Conflicting reports were given as to who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes against Bdama. The Syrian Network for Human Rights offered contradictory information, blaming Russian forces in one report while blaming regime forces in another report. However, the other source that reported on the incident, Idlib Media Centre, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes.

Orient News published an interview with the civil defence. Here is a rough transcript:

At 0’30” in the interview: I don’t know what to tell you. This is a civilian area, and it got hit at ten in the morning. Go and target military areas, we don’t mind.  One man died while he was fixing his tractor. He has six kids

At 1’15” in the interview with a doctor. “The regime is targeting the liberated coast and west of Jisr al Shoughour. All the injured and dead are civilians. There were about twenty of them including three martyrs of whom two were kids. Those injured were women, kids, old people, and a few young civilian men.”

“At 2’20” a reporter says: “Regime planes and helicopters are targeting al Badama alongside Russian planes and regime artillery.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ammar Ahmed Hamoudi
Child injured
Fadwa Hamoudi
Child female injured

The victims were named as:

4 years old male killed
Sister of Hamza Sadiq
Age unknown female injured
20 years old male " a college student at faculty of Pharmacy from Jisr al Shoghour city" Other sources said he was a pharmacist killed
Fadwa Hamoudi
Age unknown female injured
Mohamed A'raj
Age unknown male injured
Juma Khalilu
Adult killed
Bashir Stouf
Adult injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–11
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Image of Mohammad Nasser Hassoun, a child killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Bdama on September 25, 2017 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Image of Hamza Sadiq, a college student that died from wounds sustained during alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Bdama on September 25, 2017 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Mohammad Nasser Hassoun, a child killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Bdama on September 25, 2017 (via Marsad Sarmada)
  • The exact moment the airstrike hit Bdama, 25th Sept 2017. (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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–11
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]