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

RS3099

Incident date

February 24, 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

Two civilians were killed as al Shifonya, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was struck by explosive barrels and missiles, local media reported – though it was unclear who was to blame.

As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its seventh day, Shifonya was again struck on February 24th, which according to HalabTodayTV and Step News Agency resulted in two civilian fatalities.

Though the streets were left in complete rubble, there are, as of now, no known reports of how many were left wounded.

Sources reported about both the launch of aerial missiles carrying phosphorus and explosive barrels.

Omar Madanieh, among others, tweeted that the town was struck by “Russian raids with phosphorus”, while others, such as HalabTodayTV, reported that it were explosive barrels, launched from helicopters, that had killed the two civilians.

Finally, reports were not clear in terms of culpability, as blame was appointed to either Russia, or to both Russian and Syrian regime forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The streets of Al Shifonya, Damascus, after being struck with missiles and explosive barrels, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, February 24th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)
  • The streets of Al Shifonya, Damascus, after being struck with missiles and explosive barrels, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, February 24th, 2018 (via Jsirtv)

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
    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

RS3939

Incident date

July 22, 2019

Location

لطمين, Latmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two children were reported killed, and up to three other children injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmin in Hama on July 22nd, 2019.

Amani Badr An-Naasan and her sister Jumana died of their injuries after airstrikes on Latmin, according to @MahmodHamway, and according to @HalabTodayTV, three children were injured.

Most of the sources blamed the Syrian regime, but Shaam Network said that Russian and Syrian warplanes launched dozens of air raids on the towns and towns of Morak, Altamneh, Kafarzita, Al-Sarmaniya, Zakat, Latmin and Jibin, killing two children in Latmin.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jumana Badr Al-Naasan جمانة بدر النعسان
6 years old female killed
Amani Badr Al-Naasan أماني بدر النعسان
female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (13) [ 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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1357

Incident date

September 27, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were reportedly killed and six more wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Hamra north of Aleppo.

Step News Agency reported: “Two people were killed and six injured following Russian raids on Kafr Hamra in the northern Aleppo countryside.”

LCCSY reported that only one civilian was killed.

Ghada12180130 reported the use of a bunker buster missile and posted an image of the crate caused by the explosion.

Free TV Syria reported that barrel bombs were used which indicates that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime.

SRV_News reported a total of 18 airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

  • A photograph of the pit formed from the fall of a bunker buster in the town of Kafr Hamra following suspected Russian warplane strikes on September 27th (via @Ghada12180130)

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 September 1st – 30th 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
    6
  • 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

RS1390

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.373059, 36.112682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that air or artillery strikes hit the suburb of Damascus, Khan al-Sheikh which led to the death of at least two civilian men and injury of several more people. The strikes allegedly struck a Palestinian refugee camp. One source claimed that a school in the area was also struck.

The news site Dar al-akhbar reported that “regime warplanes shelled a camp for Palestinian refugees in Khan Al-Sheeh camp, killing two refugees and wounding three more including a child”.

Among the injured were women and children.

According to the Smart News Agency, “regime shelling in Khan Al-Sheeh targeted a school, wounding two teachers and an 8th grader female student”.

Also, Pal Info and Khan al-Sheeh Media Center reported the unlawful use of cluster bombs.

Aqsa TV Channel, Yarmouk63, Aqsa TV News, Zaman al-Wasl, Khan al-Sheeh Media Center and Qasioun News attributed the strike to Russia, while three other sources – Smart News Agency, Dar al-akhbar and Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Assad regime as the culprit.

Pal info named the victims, publishing a graphic video on their Facebook page.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Abo Settah
Adult male volunteers for Jafra for development and human care killed
Abdullah Saleh
Adult male volunteers for Jafra for development and human care killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Sheikh. (via, Pal Info)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two civilian casualties as a result of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids. (via Pal Info)
  • Remnants of cluster bombs. (via Pal Info)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Khan al Sheikh. (via, Pal Info)
  • Remnants of cluster bombs. (via Pal Info)
  • Mohammed Abo Settah and Abdullah Saleh, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, Act Group Pal)
  • Abdullah Saleh, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, Aqsatvchannel)
  • Moments after the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid fell. (via ZamanAlwasl)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid fell. (via Khan Al-Sheeh Media Center)

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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1487

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6155094, 36.5471898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males died and at least two more were wounded – including members of the White Helmets – in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

@syriapost1 was among several sources pointing to Russia and putting the death toll at two “with several more wounded.”

However, Qasioun, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Enabbaladi blamed the regime. The latter reported that “in the morning [Oct 20th], two members of the civil defense in the city of Kafr Nabl were injured by heavy machine guns targeting the city from warplanes”. They also mention that there was damage to a fire engine.

Rfsmediaoffice joined other sources in reporting that members of the White Helmets were wounded. The figures was put at either two or three.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Najib Zator
Adult male named by @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH killed
Ammar Ayman Altaob
Adult male named by @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH killed

Summary

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

  • A damaged vehicle in the aftermath of the alleged raid, on Kafr Nabil, Oct 20th (via ShahbaPress)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man is treated in an ambulance by a member of the White Helmets following the strike on on Kafr Nabil, Oct 20th (via ShahbaPress)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

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
    2–3
  • 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

RS1628

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

حي جسر الحج , Jisr al Haj neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1839796, 37.1475876 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Halab News listed two unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike in Jisr al Haj neighbourhood, Aleppo.

@ShahbaPress and @Syrianewstime also tweeted that two civilians were killed by Russian warplanes.

However, @rola1katib, @RfsNorth, @alepponow1 all reported that helicopters had dropped barrel bombs on the neighbourhood, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out.

 

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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'View the effects of the destruction caused by the aerial bombardment of the neighborhood of the Jisir Al Haj in Aleppo'

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 November 1st – 30th 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
    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

RS1923

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Location

بنش, Binish, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.958429, 36.711587 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died and up to 10 more were wounded (including four members of the civil defense), following a raid on the Red Crescent Medical Store in Binish. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources blamed a Russian airliner, whilst others blamed Syrian regime vacuum missiles.

The Shaam News Network reported that civilians homes were also struck in the raid, which led to the injury of ten people.

According to Shahed Ayan, Russian warplanes launches as many as 20 raids in Idlib on the 25th of February. Most sources alleged that two to three of those 20 raids struck Binish. 

Two pro-Assad sources – Tasnim and ARef Al-Taweel – reported that “the warplanes struck the headquarters of the Nasra Front, destroyed a number of rocket launchers in the city of Binish in rural Idlib and killed more than 10 gunmen.” These sources do not, however ,match the general narrative reported by other sources. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–10
  • 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]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath showing damage to civilians homes and infrastructure following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binish, 25th Feb 2017. (via SNN)
  • Clearing the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binish, 25th Feb 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binish, 25th Feb 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)
  • Clearing the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binish, 25th Feb 2017. (via Syrian Coalition)
  • Moments after the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Binish, 25th Feb 2017. (via AMC)

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 – 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–10
  • 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

RS1934

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Location

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.569294, 38.291216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian raids and/or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Palmyra. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to the Regime and others to Russia.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Bilal
Child male the son of Khalil al-Safiya (owner of a barbecue restaurant) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Bilal, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 28th February 2017, Palmyra. (via Noor1214114)

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 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
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]