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

RS017

Incident date

October 4, 2015

Location

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8937633, 36.6794443 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed following an airstrike on Gharnata near Talbiseh city, in Homs governorate.

While some sources attributed the attack to Russian aircraft, the Assad regime also reported carrying out strikes in the vicinity, with state news agency SANA reporting that “the Air Force destroyed nests and mechanisms for terrorist organizations… in the countryside of Homs.” Smart News said the attack was carried out by regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs.

VDC and Talbiseh News both reported that a shepherd was killed at Gharnata on October 4th “due to Russian forces shelling.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Ahmad was a shepherd killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the body of the victim Ahmad al Musa killed in the strike on Gharnata, October 4th 2015. (via, Talibisah News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Gharnata (غرناطة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8937633, 36.6794443. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

The Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Homs governorate between October 3rd-5th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2884

Incident date

January 10, 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 son were killed and as many as four other civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit oil stalls in Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia.

Sources said that two rocket strikes caused huge fires, and much material damage.

Footage shows parachute missiles falling on the vicinity including the exact moment they struck.

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence cleared up the aftermath and searched for victims within the fires of the oil stalls.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amina al Sheikh Ibrahim
Adult female mother killed
Emad al Sheikh Ibrahim
Child male son killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Parachute missiles drop on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Smart News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Ebaa News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Ebaa News Agency)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Yahya Ahmad)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Saraqeb, 10th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)

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)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS339

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including one unnamed woman and a member of the White Helmets were killed – and 10 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that a woman died when Russian warplanes targeted the town in several spatial missile strikes. They said that 10 others were injured, and while the White Helmets were attempting to assist the wounded a plane raided again, killing a member of the White Helmets.

The White Helmets reported the death of one of their team, named as Hassan Al Haj Omar and posted a video showing his funeral.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he died following the raid by “suspected Russian warplanes” targeting Omar bin Al Khattah Mosque in the town. Their report said that 10 medical staff had been killed in January.

The member of the White Helmets was also named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Abd Al Azeem Haj Omer.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male member of the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Video taken by citizen journalist in the immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raids. (via, Citizen Journalist)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video taken by citizen journalist of a child receiving stitches in a medical facility. (via, Citizen Journalist)
  • Hasan Abd al-Azeem Haj Omer, killed on 2nd of January by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Abd al-Azeem Haj Omer, killed on 2nd of January by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS446

Incident date

January 22, 2016

Location

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3680555, 40.1196671 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Jneina, according a a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

In its military report published on 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2948

Incident date

January 30, 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 civilian was killed and an unspecified number more were wounded, due to airstrikes in Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

Heavy machine guns and missiles caused much material damage to civilian homes, one source reported.

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
    1 – 2
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS574

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

الغارية, Al Gariya, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.6854754, 36.2402058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman and one child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Gariya, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

All4Syria and  Shams Houran reported that Russia had used cluster bombs on the town.

A local video also reports that “el Gharbiyah was targeted by Russian warplanes for secind week running with vacuum and cluster bombs.

The two victims were named by the VDC.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al Gariya, Feb 8th.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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: “Near al-Ghariyah al-Gharbiyah (Daraa province), a Su-34 bomber made a strike on an ISIS strong point. The direct hit of a guided munition caused complete destruction of the terrorists’ fortifications. Objective monitoring data confirmed elimination of 2 pieces of militants’ armored hardware.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS3832

Incident date

June 20, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Syria Civil Defense reported an airstrike on Al Latamina, Hama, on June 20th.

Although the number of casualties were not quantified in this source, the incident was listed, among others, as one of the attacks which led to numerous fatalities on June 20th.

According to this source “the cities and towns of liberated northern Syria are still under constant bombardment by the regime’s forces and their Russian allies.”

Airwars has set a possible fatality range of one to two for this event – and is conducting ongoing research.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: warplanes of the Russian enemy did many raids on the outskirts of the city.

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

Incident Code

RS734

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one child was killed in Douma according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was a Russian airstrike or the result of regime artillery.

Shaam News, reported: “Russian planes carried out raids on Douma neighbourhoods which was preceeded by artillery shelling. One civilian was killed and others were injured and that was in clear breach of the truce.”

But Step News Agency blamed the regime, reporting that “Regime forces stationed in the eastern Ghouta overlooking the mountains aimed at the road between Misraba and Douma which killed two people”. News_Ajil also blamed the regime, as did Dr-khaled6.

According to Hani Al-Sulyman, regime artillery killed the child Yousef Qadeesh.

SMO also published a video which showed six-year-old Nour Al-deen in hospital after losing his legs following a strike by an alleged Russian missile which hit his house while he was playing. The child’s father talks to the camera and shows the remains of his son’s shoes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour al-Deen
6 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

  • Video shows Nour al-Deen, 6 years old, in hospital after losing his legs to an alleged Russian missile targeting his house. His father talks to the camera and shows the remains of his shoes.(via SMO Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

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
    1
  • 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]