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

RS3385

Incident date

April 1, 2018

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5497387, 36.5422624 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Shaam, “Russian aircraft launched heavy air strikes caused the fall of martyrs and wounded in the cities and towns of Ariha and Khan Sheikoun and Urma Al Jouz and Al  Qanba and Kafr Lata and Hazarin and Hamdiyah and Ma’aret Horma in the southern countryside and the city of Jisr al-Shughour in the western countryside”.

However Idlib24 said that the regime was also carrying out strikes on the area at this time.

Only Shaam mentioned civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ 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 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3711

Incident date

May 24, 2019

Location

مصيبين , Msibein, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Multiples sources reported that a man and his child were killed in airstrikes on Msibein, Idlib, on May 24th.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named those killed as Ahmad Abdul Wahed Takko, and his daughter Aseel.

Step News Agency and Mohamed al Hmady reported that Russia was responsible for the airstrikes, while many other sources attributed blame to the Syrian regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Abdul Wahed Takko أحمد عبد الواحد طكو
Adult male Father of Aseel killed
Aseel Wahed Takko أسيل أحمد عبد الواحد طكو
Child female Daughter of Ahmad killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "4 raids by Russian warplanes on the area "Msibein" in the eastern suburb of Jericho 24/5/2019"
  • Ahmad Abdelwahed Takko

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
    2
  • (1 child1 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, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2953

Incident date

January 31, 2018

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A mother and her daughter were burned to death in an airstrike which hit Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the raids.

Smart News reported that “More than 18 Russian warplanes and helicopters launched heavy raids on areas east of the town of Sarakib (16 km southeast of Idlib) in northern Syria. Napalm bombs also hit areas in the southern countryside.”

Images show the home of the victims in flames in the aftermath of the raid due to the use of napalm bombs by the named belligerents.

Civilian housing was deliberately “targeted” according to local media.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Wajiha Taha
Adult female killed
Ragad Samir Armoush
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Civilian homes burn in the aftermath of raids on Saraqeb, 31st Jan 2018. (via Saraqeb Today News)
  • Civilian homes burn in the aftermath of raids on Saraqeb, 31st Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)

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
  • (1 child1 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

RS547

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local sources.

According to Step, Russia launched three strikes on the area, while Shahba Press said one civilian died in four Russian raids.

Two victims of Russian warplanes were later named by Halab News.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Samir Ahmed Hamdaoui
29 years old male Listed by Halab News killed
Ahmed Gamal Halabieh
21 years old male Listed by Halab News killed

Summary

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

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.”

Summary

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

RS643

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.964534, 38.036764 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maskanah, according to local sources.

The Violations Documentation Center listed two unidentified male children as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maskanah. Syria News Desk reported that “two children from the same family died and four wounded in a Russian airstrikes which also caused the destruction of two houses.” Chamtimes also blamed Russia, reporting the death of two children and “many” wounded.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Maskanah, Feb 19th, which sources reported killed two children (via Syria News Desk)

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 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

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]