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)

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Incident Code

RS230

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male and one child died in an alleged Assad regime airstrike on Najeh, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Radio Al Kul said one person died and three were injured – but instead attributed responsibility to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ziyad Fato
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khaled Bakour
Child male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of adult male, Ziyad Ahmad Fato, killed on 4th December 2015. (via, Idlib Civil Defence)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Najieh (الناجية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.7894815, 36.2177181. 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

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Idlib.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS263

Incident date

December 11, 2015

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

Two male civilians were reported killed in either a Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Arbeen. The town’s local medical committee reported “Dozens of injured received by the hospital in Arbeen after the outskirts of the town of Arbeen, Zamalka and other eastern Ghouta towns were targeted by warplanes that are still targeting public places and civilians.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Maysour Shroosh
Adult male named by the VDC, who they said were victims of unspecified ‘warplane shelling’ killed
Mohammad Ziad al-Khateeb
Adult male named by the VDC, who they said were victims of unspecified ‘warplane shelling’ killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Medics tend to wounded from Russian or Assad regime strikes on Arbeen, December 11th 2015 (via Arbeen Medical Committee)
  • The exact moment that the alleged Russian airstrike fell onto Arbeen. (via, Baladi News)
  • The exact moment that the alleged Russian airstrike fell onto Arbeen. (via, Baladi News)
  • White Helmets run to the scene to rescue trapped civilians. (via, White Helmets)
  • White Helmets working on a patient inside a medical facility. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • Graphic photograph of an injured man receiving medical help. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • An injured man in Arbeen. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • An injured child as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • Graphic image of a seriously injured man. He is also covered in dust. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • A graphic image of a man receiving medical treatment. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)
  • Another image of a member of the White Helmets helping an injured man. (via, The Medical Committee in the town of Arbeen)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbeen, for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. 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 is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3867

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Kafar Nabil as more than 10 aircrafts of the Syrian and Russian forces alternated bombing with explosive barrels and cluster missiles.

According to Edlib Media Center, the child was killed and others injured as cluster rockets struck a residential neighborhood.

Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that “Ahmad Mohammad Radwan al Damour was killed Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped tens of barrel bombs on Kafranbel city in Idlib.” Kafranbel live and Ahmed Al Haniny said he was an adult and “the third martyr and the last youth from the family of Ahmad Muhammad al-Damour during the course of the Syrian revolution.”

Macro Media Center specified that four others in addition to the child were injured, including a volunteer from the Syrian Civil Defense.

MMC posted pictures tagged: “The first moments of the targeting of the cities of Kafr Nabl and Hass in the southern countryside of Idlib with barrel bombs dropped from helicopters of the regime forces, which led to the deaths of martyrs and wounded civilians.”

@modar28 tweeted: “10 aircraft (Russian and Assad) bomb the city of Kafr Nabl with more than 25 airstrikes, in conjunction with the flight of reconnaissance aircraft to ensure the destruction of all neighborhoods and neighboring villages, and dozens of martyrs and wounded, most of them children, women and elderly.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohammad Radwan al Damour
37 years old male son of Subhiyyah killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Video covering the aftermath of an airstrike on Kafar Nabil on July 4th (via Hadi Alabdallah).
  • Smoke circling up from where an airstrike struck in Kafar Kabil on July 4th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destruction caused by an airstrike that struck in Kafar Kabil on July 4th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destruction caused by an airstrike that struck in Kafar Kabil on July 4th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Destroyed street after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @aboalhodaalhoms)
  • Destroyed building after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Impact of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • People alking through rubble after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Man walking through street after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via MMC)
  • Bomb falling during Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @mousakhaled1976)
  • Impact of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @mousakhaled1976)
  • Impact of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @modar28)
  • Destruction after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via @modar28)
  • Ahmad Mohammad Radwan al Damour, allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Nabil on July 4th, 2019 (via Ahmed Al Haniny)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 12
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–12
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS872

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians – a child and a woman – died in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

LCCSY said that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a suspected Russian strike.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes” carried out strikes on areas of Maarat al Numan, killing a child and injuring others – though it did not identify the planes.

A second SO4HR report said that “a woman was killed while others were wounded by aerial bombardment on Ma’ra al-Nu’man“, though it is currently unclear whether this is the same incident as the one previously reported.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, publishing an image of the remains of cluster ammunition which they said had been fired by “government forces”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets at site of alleged Russian shelling. (Youtube by Baladi)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3179

Incident date

March 6, 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

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on civilian homes in Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

@EuphratesPost reported on the “effects of the great destruction that hit the residential areas in the city of Douma as a result of the bombing of the explosive barrel by helicopter.”

Additionally, Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that there were “martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of the raids of the Russian warplanes, the city of Douma”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 6th March 2018. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 6th March 2018. (via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead and injured bodies scatter the streets in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 6th March 2018. (via @AHM_HER1)

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
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS937

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russia airstrike killed up to two civilians and left a number of others wounded in the city of Maarat al-Artiq, local media reported.

Multiple sources blamed Russia for the event, though several referred only to “warplanes”.

According to @HalabNewsN there were two Russian strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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

RS3242

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

بنش, Bnesh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.958429, 36.711587 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Bnesh, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources reported mass destruction to civilian homes, according to local media.

@MOAZALSHAMY regime said that airstrikes left “martyrs and wounded”.

@IdlibPlus Photos published images “showing the magnitude of the destruction caused by air strikes carried out by warplanes on the town of Benish in rural Idlib this morning [March 12th]”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bnesh, 12th March 2018. (via @IdlibPlus)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Bnesh, 12th March 2018. (via Syrian Reporter )

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1189

Incident date

August 24, 2016

Location

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.906098, 36.8039983 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Center, died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an airstrike on Efis in Idlib, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several attributed the event to the Assad regime. These reports put the death count at one, with an unspecified number more wounded – including women and children.

Halab Today and Qasioun were among reports pointing to Moscow. According to @ShahbaPress, there were “martyrs and 11 wounded civilians, including women and children, in Russian raids on the village of Efis“.

However, two sources (LCCSY and Syrian Press Center) blamed regime warplanes.

SND reported that “formal warplanes” carried out strikes “vacuum missiles”. Further to this, Halab Today also reported “Russian aerial bombing with cluster bombs and vacuum missiles”. Quasion News reported precisely ” three air raids” and “stereo-chemistry rockets loaded with cluster bombs.” More than one source reported the use of stereo-chemistry rockets.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Yasin Ammam
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdullah Yasin Ammam, killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime raid. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–11
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]