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

RS3516

Incident date

July 8, 2019

Location

قرب حي طريق السد, Tareeq Al Sad, Dara'a , Syria

Geolocation

32.61119, 36.115947 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were reportedly killed in the plains surrounding Dara’a Al Balad when the region was hit by seven strikes, allegedly launched from Russian warplanes, on July 8th, 2018, according to local sources. Two others were injured.

Shaam News Agency wrote that “in violation of the cease-fire agreement, a Russian warplane launched seven airstrikes on the plains and farms surrounding Dara’a Al Balad, killing two people and wounding a number of people.”

Smart News Agency reported that “a civilian was killed early Sunday in the plains surrounding the dam road in the city of Dara’a, as the region was hit by seven raids by aircraft likely to be Russian, which also wounded another civilian and his wife.”

Shafea Abazid wrote on Facebook that Muwaffaq Nayef Ali Abazid was killed in the airstrikes.

According to Shaam News, “Russia and the Assad regime have not implemented any of the stipulations agreed upon in Bosra Al Sham. They have not withdrawn from any area in the eastern suburb of Daraa. The Russian and Syrian aerial bombardments have continued and have not stopped yet.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Mowaffaq Nayef Ali Abazid موفق نايف علي ابازيد
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2898

Incident date

January 15, 2018

Location

جوباس, Jubas, south of Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.836974, 36.760506 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were killed – one was named – and as many as eight others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Jubas, according to local media. All sources reported that Russia was to blame except one source which attributed blame to the Syrian regime.

The strikes, which reportedly occurred in the night, consisted of five raids, according to local media.

Wounded civilians were trapped under the rubble, and members of the Civil Defence helped to dig out casualties. Six of the wounded civilians were reported by local media to be children.

Victims were taken to medical points in the nearby vicinity.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Qutaiba Ahmad Satouf
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded civilian children in the aftermath of airstrikes on Jubass, 15th Jan 2018. (via @ibrahemaleosef)

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 – 2
  • (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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS302

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians are listed as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib on December 22nd, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However both victims are also listed as having died in a strike on Idlib on December 20th. There are no additional reports of airstrikes on Idlib for December 22nd.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Taha Bakro or Taha Mohammad Bakro
Adult male killed
Ibraheem Ahmad Qousurah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS526

Incident date

February 2, 2016

Location

Deir Hafer, Al-Bab, Tadeef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian planes carried out strikes on the towns of Deir Hafer, Al Bab and Tadef which led to the fall of martyrs and wounded amongst the civilians.”

Alburaq Media also mentioned “several raids” on these locations but said it had “no information on the extent of the damage.”

No further details are currently available.

Summary

  • 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 (2) [ 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 published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd

Summary

  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS750

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and nine others wounded in airstrikes on Saraqib, according to local sources. While three alleged that Russia was responsible, two other sources blamed the Assad regime.

Shaam News Network said Russia carried out raids on several areas in Idlib, adding: “Activists said that an aircraft targeted the eastern city of Saraqeb in Idlib with two raids which led to the deaths of two young men and the injury of seven children and two women.” Step News Agency and the Violations Documentation Center also blamed Russia.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least two non-combatants died as a result of strikes by regime warplanes. SRG also alleged that the Assad regime was responsible for targeting “Saraqeb and Taftanaz airport”. Lastly, a tweet by Thiqanewsagency  reported the death of the two men, but did not mention who carried out the raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Abd al-Jalil al-Moham
Adult male killed
Bashar al-Mohammad “al-Ikhwan”
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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

RS879

Incident date

June 9, 2016

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to LCCSY and Alamwai, one child and an elderly man were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Sukkari neighborhood in Aleppo.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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]

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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

RS3085

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Location

المرج, al-Marj, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

36.1855676, 37.1802235 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly killed and wounded as al-Marj, Damascus, was subject to aerial shelling, as reported by local media, who blamed both Syrian and/or Russian forces.

While several sources reported that al-Marj had been struck by air raids, no sources reported the scope of the civilian harm the strikes inflicted.

Only Step News Agency al-Jazeera, indicated that the strikes had caused civilian harm, as they in their general reporting from eastern Ghouta reported that the shelling “resulted in the deaths and injuries amid continued heavy shelling and flying of warplanes in the airspace” – including the shelling of al-Marj. However, no exact figures from al-Marj were provided.

Finally, sources were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either the Syrian regime, Russia, or both across the reports

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (6) [ 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 strikes between February 1st - 28th 2018.

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
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3130

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514529, 36.374577 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes in Kafar Batna, local media reported. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Mass destruction was caused by heavy shelling.

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
    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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment raids struck Kafar Batna, 28th Feb 2018. (via Horran)

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
    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 (3) [ collapse]