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

RS2507

Incident date

September 24–25, 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

At least one male civilian was killed and three others were wounded in six alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhun in southern Idlib as reported by local sources.

Saidat al Yasmin reported that “A squadron of Russian planes in the sky of the province of Idlib” – highlighting the presence of Russian planes.

According to Al Latamna Youth, three of the casualties were members of the same family, including the man killed, his sister in law who had to have her leg amputated, and another relative that lost an eye.

There were conflicting reports given as to when the incident occurred, with Smart News Agency reporting that it occurred along with other incidents on Sunday night (September 24th) while Al Latamna Youth claimed that it happened on September 25th.

The city’s civil defence spokesman Anas al-Diab told Smart News Agency that Russian planes were suspected to have carried out the airstrikes. Smart News Agency and Al Latamna Youth were the only sources to report on the incident and both identified Russian planes as responsible.

The incident occured at 04:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

26 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Mohammed Khaled al-Muhammad, killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against Khan Sheikhoun on September 24th/September 25th, 2017 (via Al Latamna Youth Facebook)

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
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2506

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

قرية القنيطرة, al Quneitra, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

33.126, 35.824 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five people were killed, and eight others, including four children and three women were wounded, in airstrikes against the village of al Quneitra in the Harem district of northwest Idlib.

Sources all blamed Russian aviation for the raids.

Syrian Network for Human Rights published an image of an injured child and reported that “The girl Aya al Hasan wounded in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on al Quneitra village in Idlib governorate western suburbs, the shelling resulted in the death of her 2 sisters Salma and Malak and her grandmother. Additionally, a number of her family members have serious injuries on September 25, 2017.”

VDC named a female adult and two children, whom we suspect are the grandmother and girls.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Tabya al Hassan
Adult female killed
Malak al Hassan
Child female killed
Salma al Hassan
Child female killed
Aya al Hasan
Child female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aya al Hasan, injured in an airstrike on 24, September 2017. (via S4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead children in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Ibrahim Yusuf)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

RS2505

Incident date

September 24–25, 2017

Location

قرية حير الصبي, Hayr al-Sabi near the town of al Dana , Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.213186, 36.770897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to seven civilians were killed, including a family of seven, and six others, including women and children, were injured in airstrikes against the village of Hayr al-Sabi near the town of al Dana in northern Idlib according to local activists. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while the others blamed the Syrian regime.

The date of the incident is contested. Step says 06:am on 25th, however, some tweets appeared night of 24th and others early on 25th. The first tweet was 9pm on 24th.

Some sources have only reported that a family of three was killed, including a mother, father and a son, however others put the numbers as high as seven.

An interview with one of injured residents ‘Abu Mahmoud’ goes as follows. “I heard a noise of a plane then a noise of a missile – I couldn’t hear the plane anymore- I was sure it was a missile. Most residents were sleeping on their roofs. It is an entirely civilian area there are no militants here. The result of the raid, as you can see, the house was totally flattened. There were about five injured and five martyrs.  In our neighbours house there were two people injured.”

An interview with another resident ‘abu Hussein’ goes as follows:, “This is my house. We suddenly heard a plane we looked up and the missile fell. These are civilian home there is no free army and no one else. It is civilian homes.”

Footage shows huge fires in the aftermath of the raid, which occurred at dawn.

The incident occured at 06:05:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Tayseer Ahmad al-Namer
Adult male killed
Ahlam Fares Shihadeh
Adult female killed
Ahmad Tayseer al-Namer
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Sayed Abu Sbeih)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Sayed Abu Sbeih)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Sayed Abu Sbeih)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Tuan Thuoc)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Ibrahim Yusuf)
  • Members of the Civil Defence in the aftermath of airstrikes, 24th September 2017. (via Al Jazeera Syria)

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
    3 – 7
  • (1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS2504

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

البويب, al Boueb, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

31.464395, 35.155867 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were injured in airstrikes against the village of al Boueb in the Shahshabo mountain in the western Hama countryside. Media blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

The “warplanes” which launched three raids on the vicinity were unidentified by some media. It was reported that the village “[is] inhabited by purely civilians working as shepherds. There are no more than 25 families in this village living in 15 houses.”

No specific estimate was given as to how many civilians.

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
  • 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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

RS2503

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

مخيم النور, al Nour camp, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.186607, 36.75637 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 13 civilians were injured, including three in a critical condition, by alleged Russian airstrikes against al Nour refugee camp in the town of Jarjanaz, according to local activists.

Sources either identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes or did not attribute blame.

According to Smart News Agency, around 20 tents in the refugee camp were destroyed by the airstrikes. The property of displaced peoples was also destroyed.

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Shamna News)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Idlib Free Police)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on a refugee camp, 24th September 2017. (via Al Laith al A’ss)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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

RS2502

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

سلمية, Salamiya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.012175, 37.053022 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians, including a woman and her three children, were killed and others, including two children, were wounded in airstrikes against the neighbourhoods of Salamiya east of Hama in central Syria, according to local sources.

Many sources, such as Smart News Agency, did not identify who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. Airwars researches believe that either Russia, the Syrian regime or ISIS were responsible for the raids which killed civilians. The town was under the control of the Syrian regime so researches have suggested it was unlikely to be Russian or regime.

Four dead civilians were taken to the hospital, including two children, in addition to three wounded, two of them seriously injured by the shrapnel of rocket shells – according to an Al-alam tv report. They also reported the attacks were from Da’esh.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 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
    Unknown, ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment the strike hit, 24th September 2017. (via Elnashra)

Unknown Assessment:

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

ISIS Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 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
    Unknown, ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2499

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and two to eight others were injured in four airstrikes against the village of Kafr Halab in southwest Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing the blame to Russia while others, such as Aleppo24, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The military information centre in Kafr Halab told Smart News Agency that the aircraft responsible for the attack were “likely to be Russian” and those that were injured sought medical attention nearby.

RFS Media Office reported that “Russian air raids targeted farmers during their work in agricultural land near the town of Kafr Aleppo, killing a farmer and wounding two others.” It was later added by another source that it was specifically a cattle farm.

A local media activist tweeted that vacuum missiles were used in the raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment an airstrike hit the farm in Kafr Halab, 24th September 2017. (via Marsad sarmada)
  • The moment an airstrike hit the farm in Kafr Halab, 24th September 2017. (via Shehab Press)

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
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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

RS2497

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Location

خان السبل, Khan al Subul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least four civilians and five alleged members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – a militant Islamist group – were killed and seven other civilians and four members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khan al Subul in southeast Idlib. All sources attributed the blame to Russian missiles.

According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes struck Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s headquarters in Khan al Subul.

Aleppo Eyewitness later added that four displaced civilians were killed whilst sheltering in a school due to Russian warplanes. Zaiton Magazine also added that “Four martyrs as an initial death toll and others under the rubble following the targeting of the Russian occupation aircraft on a school, housing a large number of displaced people in the town of #Khan_AlSabal”.

One source reported that “four gunmen were killed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and others were injured”, suggesting militants were killed by militants.

It is unclear whether these attacks were different or separate, however the date and vicinity are the same.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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]