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

RS2468

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Location

الطوب , Al Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.1739486, 40.3728676 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in air raids on the village of Al Toub, local sources reported.

Jisir TV attributed the deaths to Russian warplanes, however, Syrian air strikes and snipers were reported in the area by Smart News Agency.

No other details are currently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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]

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
  • 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

RS2469

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Location

قرية التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.539525, 36.725383 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians including two women died while working at an obstetrics hospital in Al Tah as alleged Russian and Syrian warplanes bombarded the countryside of southern Idlib, local sources reported.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one death; it stated: “Suspected Russian warplanes fired a missile on the al Rahman Charity Hospital – an obstetrics hospital – northwest of al Tah village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, killing a member of medical personnel and partially damaging it [the hospital], burning the eastern sector of it rendering it inoperable on September 19, 2017.”

Alternative sources on the ground said three were killed at Rahman Charity Hospital, including a nurse and a cleaner. Shahed Alep reported the death of three nurses.

The hospital’s deputy director, Taleb al-Ali, told the Smart News Agency that one of the nurses was killed immediately, and babies in incubators were wounded. Another nurse was also seriously wounded, while the hospital’s administrative director was injured – and one of his legs was amputated.

However Orient News only reported injuries: “Two nurses and several other civilians were injured today [Sept 19th], following the bombing of Al-Assad and Russia warplanes with surface-to-surface rockets aimed at the obstetric hospital in the town of Tah in countryside of Idlib”.

While most sources attributed the destruction to Russian warplanes, Orient News reported the additional involvement of the Syrian regime. Syrian Press Centre said it was an “unprecedented escalation” of violence.

The hospital was placed out of service due to the bombing and subsequent fire, Enab Baladi reported.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Administrative director of the hospital injured
Adult female A nurse at the hospital killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The obstetric hospital was attacked with rockets, reportedly killing two nurses (via Enab Baladi )
  • More than 40 air strikes, allegedly hit villages and towns of southern Idlib on the morning of Sept 19th 2017 (via Syrianpc)
  • "Childrens' caskets turned into coffins," tweeted Omar Madaniah
  • Clouds of smoke billow fron Al Tah's obstetrics hospital following an airstrike on Sept 19th 2017 (via Syrian-coalition)
  • Translation: 'Russian warplanes destroy hospital # Tah in Idlib and injures its medical staff and children who are inside'
  • Translatrion: 'The moment Russian aviation bombed an obstetric hospital in the village of Tah South Idlib'

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2462

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Location

وادي العذيب, Wadi Al-Azeeb, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.384722, 37.638889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that there were victims, including children, due to an airstrike which was “likely to be Russian” in Wadi Al-Azeeb.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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

RS2464

Incident date

September 18–19, 2017

Location

الطيبة , Tayba town,, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man and his son died as Russian planes allegedly dropped cluster bombs on the town of Tayba, the Euphrates Post reported. Another source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that a “female child” also died at Tayba.

Mahmoud Hussein Al-Turki and his son were reportedly killed as several air raids attacked the area at dawn. The wife and daughter of Muhannad al-Hazoum were also wounded.

The Euphrates Post was the only source able to attribute the bombing.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of “a citizen and a female child in bombing by warplanes on areas in Al-Taybah town, in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor yesterday [Sept 19th].

There was some ambiguity over the date. All sources put one said that the event was on September 19th, though Ashare Asouri  tweeted that a strike occurred on Sept 18th.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Child female injured
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 children1 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2465

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Location

ﺣﻄﻠﺔ , Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four members of one family were killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian air/ artillery or rocket strike on the village of Hatla in the eastern countryside, according to local sources.

Hajj Attallah al-Assaf was the only individual named.

Syrian East Agency attributed the “heavy artillery and rocket launchers” to Syrian forces, however most sources cited Russia’s involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hajj Attallah al-Assaf
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Hajj Attallah al-Assaf reportedly died in heavy artillery fire on Hatla, Sept 18th.

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
    4
  • 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

RS2459

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Location

البوليل, Albouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20253, 40.37126 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five to eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Albouleil, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime raids for the casualties.

A river bank in Albouleil was reportedly struck.

Between one and five children were included in the death toll. An unidentified body was also discovered.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ayman Saud Al-Abd
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Saud Al-Abd Al-Mahmoud
Age unknown male killed
Son of Suleiman Al-Mosleh
Age unknown killed
Ahmad al-Hilal
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (1–5 children)
  • 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 (8) [ 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (1–5 children)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2461

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Location

موحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2257487, 40.3109038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female was killed due to alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Mohassein, local media reported.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qutna Ali al-Khuzam"
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (8) [ 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2463

Incident date

September 17, 2017–April 18, 2019

Location

ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺣﺎﻭﻱ ﺧﺸﺎﻡ, Hawi Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three young girls died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Hawi Khasham, local sources reported.

Two daughters of Khalil Al-Ibrahim Al-Kuban, aged three and 18 months respectively, were both named dead alongside Mahmoud Al-Qandar Al-Kabban’s 13-year-old child.

Most sources on the ground attributed the bombardment to Russian planes, however the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to regime forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Daughter of Khalil Al-Ibrahim Al-Kuban
3 years old female killed
Daughter of Khalil Al-Ibrahim Al-Kuban
1 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Daughter of Mahmood al-Qandar al-Kubn
13 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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]

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 – 3
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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]