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

RS3504

Incident date

June 30, 2018

Location

معربة, Ma'arba, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 17 civilians, 9 of which are from the same family, were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian raids on their houses in Ma’raba in Dara’a, Syria on June 30th, 2018 according to local sources.

Step Agency said “The killing of 14 civilians, including two women and wounding others as a result of Russian and Syrian air strikes which targeted the town of Ma’araba east of Daraa.”

Journalist Mohammad Nour said “At least 17 martyrs, nine of them from a single family in the town of Ma’arba in eastern Dara’a, with Russian shelling of civilian homes as punishment for their refusal of the conditions of Russian surrender.”

Violations Documentation Center documented some names of the victims including Muhammad al-Faour, Yousef Muhmmmad al-Faour, Saeb Muhammad Faour, Ismaiel Ibrahim al-Faour, Najdat al-Matar, Hani Naji al-Masalemah, Abduallah al-Raja, Azad Basheir al-Muqdad, Abdulkarim Zunaifa, Muhammad Ali al-Foadh, Muhammad Jamal al-Abbas, Khadija al-Hamed, Abdulqader al-Dief Allah al-Ghwazi and Ahmad Ali Faour Ghazawe. 

Dara’a Martyrs page reported “The warplanes of the regime forces targeted the town of Ma’araba in the eastern countryside of Daraa with several raids, whereby in three of the raids, they targeted a house where a number of displaced persons from its basement took refuge from the military campaign launched by the regime forces in the area, and the raids caused a massacre of fifteen martyrs, including two women And two children.”

White Helmets posted saying that “There are still many remains of martyrs killed as a result of the heavy shelling that hit the eastern sector, and in turn the civil defense are collecting body parts  in the town of Ma’arba and burying them duly.”

Both Russian forces and the Syrian regime were blamed for the killing of those civilians. Mohammad Horani, Mohammad Nour and Violations Documentation Center said Russia was responsible.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female Wife of Foa'ad killed
Age unknown male Or Muhammad Ali Al-Fedah killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 17
  • (1 woman13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • A photo of one of the civilians allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes in Ma'araba, Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Ahmad Al Mokdad).
  • A photo of one of the civilians allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes in Ma'araba, Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Ahmad Al Mokdad).
  • A photo of one of the civilians allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes in Ma'araba, Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Ahmad Al Mokdad).
  • A photo of one of the civilians allegedly killed by Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes in Ma'araba, Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Ahmad Al Mokdad).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of a civilian killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes in Ma'araba, Dara'a on June 30th, 2018 (via Ahmad Al Mokdad).

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
    14 – 17
  • (1 woman13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2755

Incident date

November 25, 2017

Location

المشهد, al-Marshad, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported that an alleged Russian warplane had carried out an airstrike in al-Mashhad, the southern eastern Idlib countryside, resulting in the injury of “a number of civilians.”

As of now, no further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 4th - 20th 2017.

Summary

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

RS1926

Incident date

February 26, 2017

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.963172, 38.035655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecific number of civilians was wounded following an alleged airstrike on Maskanah, Aleppo. Only one sources blamed Russian warplanes; the others attributed blame to the Syrian regime.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes occurred near the sugar planting town of Maskanah. 

There are no other details at this time.

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between February 1st – 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1959

Incident date

March 10, 2017

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that “Russian planes launched several raids targeting Akeirbat in eastern Hama countryside which led to several injuries.”

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
    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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between March 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

RS2161

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Location

ركايا سجنة, Rakaya Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.501782, 36.577313 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that Russian warplanes struck Khan Sheikhoun and Rakaya Sajna in southern Idlib causing injuries amongst 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
    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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between April 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

RS1992

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

كفركرمين , Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.16432, 36.79017 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reported wounded following two airstrikes on the village of Kafar Karmin in western Aleppo countryside.

Only one source, the Step News Agency, blamed Russia; the others didn’t apportion blame, referring only to “warplanes”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ 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
    Unknown
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2516

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least two girls were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Halab in southwestern Aleppo, according to a local source. SOHR however blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.

Step News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and while they did not report a specific estimate of injuries, they indicated that it was more than one by using the plural. Step News Agency identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The airstrikes in Kafr Halab.
  • Two girls were injured in airstrikes.

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
    Unknown
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2702

Incident date

November 7, 2017

Location

الشويط, Al-Showeit, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.654065, 40.813093 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian warplanes “targeted the village of Al-Showeit” with more than eight raids, injuring several civilians.

Details reported that civilian housing was damaged in the raids. Explosive barrels also allegedly struck the vicinity.

There were no reported deaths.

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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Showeit, 7th Nov 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

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 (5) [ collapse]