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

RS394

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians including one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one person died and others were injured in an attack by warplanes believed to be Russian. Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center as having died “due to Russian air forces shelling“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Son of Hasan al-Taha al-Hamdouni
Adult male killed
Son of Jomea Nebo
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (7) [ 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 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3019

Incident date

February 11, 2018

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian men were killed and several wounded as Saqba in eastern Ghouta, Damascus was struck by aerial and artillery shelling, local media reported.

According to Jsirtv, Saqba was subject to “heavy air bombardment hit residential neighbourhoods,” which the Syria Civil Defence reported took place during the night.

While Zaman-al Wasl only mentioned one fatality, the remaining sources reported two victims, both named by Damascus Media Center.

Several civilians were also left wounded, hereof at least one woman as depicted in a video published by the Civil Defence.

While most reported aerial shelling, others, including Shaam News Network, reported that airstrikes were accompanied by  ground-launched missiles and heavy artillery shells.

Orient News and Saqba Revolution attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while LCCSY indicated Russian involvement.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Omar Ahmed Ahmed
Age unknown male from Zebedin town killed
Raafat Kojack
Age unknown male from Deir al-Asafir town killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling among wounded civilians, Saqba, Damascus, February 11th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3835

Incident date

June 21, 2019

Location

الزقوم, Al Zakkoum, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, a Russian airstrike killed two in the village of Al Zakkoum and injured eight others. The two killed are originally from Kansafra according to local sources.

While Shaam News referred to martyrs, without making clear the status of those killed, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that  “two members of the rebel factions were killed,” along with “the injury of at least eight others.”

According to Smart News, the attack was carried out with rockets.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Al-Hassan محمد الحسن
19 years old male Multiple shrapnel injured
Nader Hassan Al-Mustafa نادر حسن المصطفى
25 years old male Head injury injured
Amer Najjar عامر نجار
20 years old male Head injury injured
Ibrahim Najjar ابراهيم نجار
22 years old male Break in the thigh injured
Abdullah Al-Mousa عبد الله الموسى
20 years old male Face injury injured
Ahmad Al-Ashqar أحمد الاشقر
26 years old male Face and chest injury injured
Ahmad Al-Shaman أحمد الشامان
Age unknown male killed
Adnan Al-Miskiya عدنان المسكية
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • One of the civilians reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Zaqoum in Hama on June 21st, 2019. (via Mohammad Najjar).
  • One of the civilians reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Zaqoum in Hama on June 21st, 2019. (via Mohammad Najjar).
  • One of the civilians reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Zaqoum in Hama on June 21st, 2019. (via Mohammad Najjar).
  • One of the civilians reportedly injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Zaqoum in Hama on June 21st, 2019. (via Mohammad Najjar).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The two civilians who were killed in alleged airstrikes on Al-Zaqoum in Hama on June 21st, 2019. (via Mohammad Najjar)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    8

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3870

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

حزارين, Hazarin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Hazarin south of Idlib. @IdlibPlus reported on resulting in “civilian casualties”, but did not provide any further details.

No further details are available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS940

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes killed up to two civilians including at least one child and wounded up to ten others in the city of Binish, local media said. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

Most local sources reported the death of up to two children.

According to The Syrian News Network (SNN), “the bombing left one martyr, a child aged 10 years”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rigts (SN4HR) reported that “two children died due to government warplanes missiles fired on Binnesh city in Idlib governorate”.

According to an Idlib correspondent, who reported to Nabd News, the incident led to “the martyrdom of two children and injury of others”. Jsirtv said the victims were Palestinian.

Sources including SN4HR and LCCSY attributed the strike to the Syrian regime, while SNN and Halab News Network reported that the strike was carried out by Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Binish, which reportedly killed at leats one child on June 26th (via SNN)
  • Scene of the destruction at Binish following alleged raids (via SNN Facebook)
  • A fire engine attends the scene at Binish (via SNN Facebook)
  • The White Helmets at the site of alleged raids on Binish (via SNN Facebook)
  • A street in Binish following alleged aerial bombardement (via SNN Facebook)
  • Image of a chile rescued from the rubble following alleged "government warplane" attack on Binish (via SN4HR) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive)
  • "Warplanes launched several air raids on the towns of Craze and nudity surroundings western city of Idlib and 4 raids on the city Binnish In the countryside Idlib north and another raid on the town of Alhbit where the child was killed in the Binnish and 10 other injuries" (via Step News)
  • "a ten year old child killed following the Russian raids on Binsh" (Video by SNN Facebook)

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.

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
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3083

Incident date

February 24, 2018

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus , Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and several left wounded as airstrikes, carried out by either Russia and/or the Syrian regime, struck Beit Sawa, Damascus, local media reported.

While not providing many details, local sources reported that airstrikes had struck Beit Sawa, and most reports put the death toll at one. Step News Agency, however, reported two civilian fatalities.

Step News Agency also reported that several were left wounded.

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
    1 – 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 (5) [ 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
    1 – 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3126

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child and another civilian were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Harasta, local media reported. Sources blame Russian and Syrian regime raids for the strikes.

There were as many as 32 raids, with heavy shelling on the residential vicinity.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghassan Ahmed Al Halbouni
16 years old male killed
Ahmed al-Jaba
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (8) [ 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
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1181

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named child died and up many more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Rastan, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

LCCSY reported one “child martyr and the critical wounding of other civilians in airstrikes on residential houses in ‪‎Rastan‬ city”.

According to Qasioun, “Russian fighter jets used phosphorous bombs and napalm on residential neighborhoods, resulting in fires in civilian homes and commercial shops”.

However, other sources – Syria News Desk, Rozana, Radio Al Kul and Rasd-sy – blamed the Assad regime. Rasd-sy put the death toll at two, while Syria News Desk reported that one child died when regime jets carried out “eight vacuum missiles strikes in Rastan neighborhoods”.

Sln added that “dozens were wounded in the cities of Rastan and Brive in Homs.”

More than one source reported the use of “phosphorous bombs”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hossam Abdul Rahman Obaid
Child male named by Syrian Newsdesk killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (22) [ 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 August 20th – 31st 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
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]