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
4805 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS3871

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on July 4th.

Macro Media Center alleged that “two civilians were killed, and another wounded, in Khan Sheikhoun city after being targeted by three fighter jets”, attributing the attack to the Syrian regime.

Another source, @ANews_Arabic, referred to the death of “four civilians, including two children”, and “10 wounded in airstrikes by Russia and the Syrian regime”, listing a number of locations, including Khan Sheikoun.

No other information is known at this time.

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Caption: Two civilians killed as a result of Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib countryside.

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3201

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Location

جسرين, Jisreen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5112138, 36.3881891 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@SYR_REV_NEWS tweeted that “dozens of civilian casualties occurred as a result of the targeting of residential areas in the town of Jisreen by several air strikes”. The source did not attribute blame.

However, according to Local Coordination Committees Syria, there was “the fall of a large number of martyrs and wounded civilians as a result of raids by the Russian warplanes on the cities and towns of Hamouriya and Jisreen and Saqba in the eastern Ghouta”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3118

Incident date

February 25, 2018

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5582404, 36.4335823 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was killed and 20 civilians were injured due to a chloride gas attack on Al Shifonya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

The injured all suffocated due to the internationally banned chloride gas. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence were also reportedly injured in the raid.

There was large scale destruction of civilian property.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a chloride gas attack in Al Shifonya, 25th Feb 2018. (via JisirTV)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of a chloride gas attack on Shifonya, 25th Feb 2018. (via Hadi)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of a chloride gas attack on Shifonya, 25th Feb 2018. (via Hadi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in a chloride gas attack on Shifonya, 25th Feb 2018. (via Wesal)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of a chloride gas attack on Shifonya, 25th Feb 2018. (via Syrian Coalition)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in a chloride gas attack on Shifonya, 25th Feb 2018. (via Damaski)

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 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS190 RS734a

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Location

أبو قلقل, Abu Qalqal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.434629, 38.091094 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on the town of Abu Kalkal. Opinion was split as to whether the attack was Russian, Coalition or Syrian regime in origin.

Daesh-linked Al A’amaq Media, the Syrian Observatory, the Syrian Network, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, Shaam News and al Hall Media all said the attack was by the Coalition.

Free Syria TV, Baladi News and Qasioun described the event as the work of Russia. And al Souria insisted that “warplanes belonging to the regime carried out raids on the two villages of Abu Kalkal and Al A’rima… which led to the death of 4 people and the injury of others.”

On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident to be “non-credible”, stating that “After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Coordinates released by the Coalition place the event at 36.43462, 38.09109

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Stated location
    near Abu Qalqal
    Nearest population center
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SDA1853332540
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Mar 10, 2022

  • March 13, 2016, near Abu Qalqal, Syria, via Airwars report (previously closed, but reopened due to new information). After review of all available evidence it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did not occur as a result of a Coalition strike. 151/CS190 37SDA1853332540

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For March 12th-13th 2016,the Coalition reported that “Near Manbij, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar position, and an ISIL fighting position.”

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
    2
  • 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4044

Incident date

August 17, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on August 17th.

Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Mohammad Ma’arati and Abdul Latif Tallawi were killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 17th”.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that “two citizens were martyred due to Russian raids in Khan Sheikhoun city.”

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ma’arati
Adult male killed
Abdul Latif Tallawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Ma’arati and Abdul Latif Tallawi were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on August 17th.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1388

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

جب القبة, Jeb al Qubba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196949, 37.166987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

SMO News reported that “Russian warplanes shelling targeted Al-Shawqi hospital in Jib Al-Quba and destroyed it. Some people were killed and others wounded.”

Likewise Al-Jazeera reported how the hospital was left destroyed after the strikes.

There are no other details available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage to Jib Al-Quba following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Shahba)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1794

Incident date

December 27, 2016

Location

العثمانية, Al-Othmaniya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.879236, 36.973039 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civil Defence volunteers were allegedly injured following an airstrike on the volunteer centre in Al-Othmaniya, Aleppo. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the alleged airstrikes, however AMC and LCCSY both blamed Russia. 

Additionally, one source – @Aleppojourn – reported “the fall of a number of martyrs” in “bombing by the criminal regime on the village of Al Othmanya”.

Reportedly, a fire truck was struck and damaged in the raid.

There are no other details at this time.

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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ 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 specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 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
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1969

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Location

ديرحافر , Deir Hafer, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.151494, 37.707842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians died and were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime strike on Deir Hafer, according to local media.

The Shaam News Network and LCCSY pointed to Russia, as did the Step News Agency who said that “several surface rockets” were used in the attack.

However, Aljazeera reported that “Syrian regime planes targeted the cities of Deir Hafer and the residents of the countryside of east Aleppo with number of air raids”.

 

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

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
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]