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

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

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

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:

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

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]

Incident Code

RS2032

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an air raid killed up to two civilians, including a child, and wounded several others, as it struck the city of Kafr Zita in Hama, though it was unclear if Russia or the Syrian regime were behind the attack.

Two civilians were additionally wounded, and MonKiz Al Khabour reported that one of the wounded was the brother of the named victim.

Even though most sources attributed blame to Russia, the incident remains contested as Smart News Agency’s reporting talks about airstrikes carried out by both the Syrian regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Images of the moment Russian or Syrian regime warplanes struck Kafr Zeita city in the northern Hama countryside on March 26th, 2017 (via @AleppoAMC)
  • The child Abdul Rahim Mohammed Abdo al-Laban was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Kafr Zeita, Hama, March 26th, 2017 (via MonKiz Al Khabour)

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 March 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]

Incident Code

RS2142

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

المخرمرسم الحميدة , Rasim al Hamida village, al Makhram district, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.705546, 37.280989 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that an alleged Russian airstrike on Rasim al Hamida village killed two children and wounded three further civilians including a woman.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2188

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

التمانعة, al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed and one other was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Tamana in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017, according to local media.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

RS2290

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Location

حمادي عمر, Hamadi Omar, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.025374, 37.423313 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and three other civilians were wounded – including a woman – following an airstrike on Hamadi Omar, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strike.

According to both the Smart News Agency and the local source, Adyb.alhwrany, the town was under ISIS control when the strikes took place. 

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (2) [ 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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3686

Incident date

May 9, 2019

Location

جوزف, Jozef, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jozef, Hama governorate, on May 9th, 2019, according to local sources.

According to Al Araby, “The Edlib Media Center said that two civilians were killed at dawn today [May 9th], and others were injured, as a result of the targeting by Russian warplanes of the town of Jozef”. Edlib Media Center also reported the use of rockets.

Eldorar and Elwehda reported the same figures and also blamed Russia.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attend the scene of an alleged Russian strike on Jozef, May 9th (via Eldorar)

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
    2
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]