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

RS4241

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

كفرشلايا, Kafr Shlaya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

The Syrian White Helmets said: “A young civilian was injured and destroyed in civilian homes in the village of Kafr Shalaya, west of Jericho, today, Saturday, as a result of a helicopter belonging to the Assad forces dropping two barrel bombs in the middle of a civilian settlement in the village.”

Smart News Agency reported two civilians were injured in Russian raids on the village.

Images uploaded by @media_idlib show a young man being helped into the back of an ambulance by members of the Syrian White Helmets.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4270

Incident date

December 19, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and at least five civilians were injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019, according to local sources.

The LCCSY reported four Russian airstrikes between 10:36 AM local time and 10:49 AM. In the second airstrike at 10:40 AM, Saleh al-Muhaimid was killed and two civilians were wounded. In the third one at 10:45, three civilians were wounded. @Ahmad_1alshble reported instead that a total of six civilians were injured as a result of the attack on an industrial area of Saraqib.

Zaman Al-Wasl reported that “the civil defense teams retrieved the body of a young man from under the rubble after three hours”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that the airstrikes  destroyed several shops in the area.

Different videos showed the moment the raids hit Saraqib, with smoke rising after the explosion.

The incident occured between 10:36 am and 10:49 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Al Mheimid صالح المحيميد
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Destroyed houses in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019 (via @khaleedalkhteb)
  • Smoke rising in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes with high explosive missiles on the industrial area of the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib, on December 19th, 2019 (via @QasiounAr)

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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–6
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4306

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed and at least one other civilian was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Hass, Idlib governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the 22-year-old Muhammad Hasan al Da’if was killed in “a strike carried out by Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes using heavy machine guns on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on January 15”.

Shaam News Network reported that in addition to one civilian death, many were wounded by Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on the village. However, Zaman Al Wasl only identified “another civilian” as being wounded.

Local sources noted that Hass is a civilian area and does not have military importance.

Zaman Al Wasl News detailed Russian warplanes carrying out the attack with LAM39 warplanes and using vacuum missiles while Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Hasan al Da’if
22 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ 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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4348

Incident date

January 22, 2020

Location

معردبسة, Ma’ardibsa, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian reportedly died and two more – a woman and a child – were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian air or artillery strikes on Ma’ardibsa on January 22nd 2020. @yahya_kadaa reported however, that the death toll was nine.

Local Coordination Committees if Syria reported: “At 15:46 a regime’s MiG-23 warplane raid targeted the village of Ma`rdbasa. This resulted in the death of Satouf ali al-Hashoum and the injury of a woman and a child.

The Shaam News Network noted that both Russian and regime warplanes “launched dozens of airstrikes” across cities and towns in Idlib, including Ma’ardibsa.

The incident occured at 15:56:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Satouf ali al-Hashoum
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A photo of Satouf Ibn Ali al-Hashum, allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces on January 22nd 2020 (Maârdebsa Town / Facebook)
  • A photo of Satouf Ibn Ali al-Hashum, allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces on January 22nd 2020 (Sn4hr / Facebook)
  • A photo of Satouf Ibn Ali al-Hashum, allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces on January 22nd 2020 (Ma'aebsa Baladi / Facebook)

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4377

Incident date

January 28, 2020

Location

كفرلاته, Kafarlata, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two brothers were killed and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafarlata, Idlib governorate, on January 28th, 2020, according to local sources.

Step Agency reported that “two civilians were killed and others wounded due to artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces targeting the village of Kafarlata in Jabal Al Arbaeen, south of Idlib”. Ariha Today reported the incident occurred around 8:50 PM and identified the victims as Walid and Mostafa Farouk Al Nemr. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the men were brothers.

According to a Facebook post by Anastracey Official, “two men were killed as a result of Assad’s forces bombing the town of Kafr Lata with missiles carrying cluster bombs”. @Syrianewsar added that in addition to the two men killed, “others” were injured but did not specify how many.

Whereas most sources point to the Syrian regime as the belligerent, Shaam News Network blamed Russian airstrikes.

The incident occured at approximately 8:50 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Walid Farouk Al Nemr وليد فاروق النمر
male brother of Mostafa Farouk Al Nemr killed
Mostafa Farouk Al Nemr مصطفى فاروق النمر
male brother of Walid Farouk Al Nemr killed

Summary

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

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Brothers Walid and Mostafa Farouk Al Nemr, killed in airstrikes on Kafarlata on January 28, 2020. (Image posted by @mohamad.safah.5)
  • Brothers Walid and Mostafa Farouk Al Nemr, killed in airstrikes on Kafarlata on January 28, 2020. (Image posted by @mohamad.safah.5)

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
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4408

Incident date

February 4, 2020

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 4th, 2020 media activist Amjad Aktalati (“Amjad Abu Al-Joud”) and another civilians were killed in the town of Ariha, the victims of an aerial bombardment alleged to be carried out by Russia.

HalabToday TV tweeted that Ariha was struck by an alleged Russian airstrike, a claim also stated by a tweet from @saveIdlib. @saveIdlib also noted that Amjad Abu Al-Joud was “one of the last people to leave the city of Ariha”. Baladi News reported that “Aktalati” was “martyred as a result of bombing by Russian warplanes” upon a highly civilian neighborhood. @ibnqasuoon tweeted that Aktalati’s body “was still under the rubble” at the time of its report. After twelve hours, his body was finally removed, according to Smart News. Information from Baladi stated that the media activist was born in 1989, hailing from Idlib and living in Ariha.  He worked for Mercy Without Borders, the Syrian Civil Defense, and Miraj Media Production Company.

Ariha Today and Syrian Network for Human Rights also noted that another civilian, Fadi Rahhal was also killed in the same incident and was covered under the rubble for a long period of time.

On February 5th, Syrian Civil Defense reported that residential neighborhoods were struck allegedly by Russian warplanes, destroying residential buildings.

Various news agencies and activists noted that this attack was carried out by Russian warplanes.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Amjad Aktatali أمجد أكتلاتي
Adult male also known as Amjad Abu Al Joud, photographer and media activist killed
Fadi Rahhal فادي رحال
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Photographer and media activist Amjad Aktatali was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers standing in rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on Ariha, February 3rd, 2020 (via Ariha Today).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteer recovering a victim from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying a body after recovering the victim from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers recovering victims from underneath the rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 3rd, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Destruction caused by strikes on Ariha on February 4, 2020. (Image posted by @EyadHoms20)
  • Photographer and media activist Amjad Aktatali was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on February 4th, 2020 (via @shaamnews).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4438

Incident date

February 11, 2020

Location

كفرتعال, Kafar Ta'al, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A 17-year-old child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafr Ta’al, Idlib governorate, on February 11th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “the child Qasem Lattouf al Omar, aged 17, was killed as Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes carried out a strike using machine guns in Kafr Ta’al village in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate, on February 11.”

Civil Defense informed the Anadolu Agency that one civilian was confirmed dead from an air strike in Kafr Taal. No other information was released about whether others had been wounded.

The air strikes were reported by local sources to be part of a larger strategy to drive civilians out of towns and villages. SMART News Agency blamed both Russian forces and the Syrian regime for the incident while @so_ria98 attributed airstrikes to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Qasem Lattouf al Omar
17 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4471

Incident date

February 22, 2020

Location

جوزف, Jouseph, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a child, was reported killed and one to two civilians, possibly including a girl and a woman, were reported injured during an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrike on the village of Jouseph in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib on February 22, 2020.

Regarding civilian harm, more than 10 sources reported that a girl succumbed to her injuries as a result of Russian airstrikes on Jouseph village. Shahba Press stated that aside from the death of a girl, “other civilians” sustained injuries. Halab Today TV and Syrialiveuae Map claimed that a child was wounded by a Russian air bombardment on the village of Jouseph. It is unclear whether this is the same child that later succumbed to her injuries. Smart News reported that a source from the Syrian Civil Defence had told Smart that a woman was wounded as a result of the airstrike. The Syrian Civil Defence also indicated great damage to civilian homes and property.

More than 15 sources attributed the airstrike to the Russian Armed Forces, with @oulaalassaad and RTTR2019 claiming that Russia used vacuum missiles during the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown. However, urgent tweets on the incident were posted as early as 7:12 AM local time.

The incident was first reported on February 22, 2020 at 7:12 am by .

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A child was killed, on Saturday, as a result of Russian air strikes on the village of Joseph in Jabal Al-Zawiya in Idlib countryside, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
  • Photographs uploaded on the official Facebook page of the village of Jouseph showing the destruction to civilian homes that resulted from an alleged Russian (or Regime) airstrike on the village on February 22, 2020. (Uploaded via @haddan.jouzef on facebook)
  • Photographs uploaded on the official Facebook page of the village of Jouseph showing the destruction to civilian homes that resulted from an alleged Russian (or Regime) airstrike on the village on February 22, 2020. (Uploaded via @haddan.jouzef on facebook)
  • Photographs uploaded on the official Facebook page of the village of Jouseph showing the destruction to civilian homes that resulted from an alleged Russian (or Regime) airstrike on the village on February 22, 2020. (Uploaded via @haddan.jouzef on facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]