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

RS2198

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

السلمية مغيزيل, Mgheizal village, al Silmiya district, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.901944, 37.445833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and two children were killed in alleged Russian raids on Mghezel, east of Hama, according to a single source.

Three other civilians were reportedly  wounded during strikes on civilian houses in the village controlled by ISIS. Some were later rushed to hospital in the city Deir Ezzor.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Incident Code

RS2197

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.904042, 36.726111

Airwars assessment

A child was killed and up to 20 other civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian missile strikes on the town of Sarmin, local media reported.

Sources on the ground reported two others were killed by land-to-land cluster bombs.

A total of three died and 10 were wounded as a result of Syrian ballistic missiles on the city, according to the Revolutionary Forces of Syria. They said the bombing came from a defense factory in the countryside of Aleppo, where Assad’s headquarters are allegedly based.

A rocket reportedly landed in the center of the city causing a large number of casualties and requiring several amputations according to local media.

According to Alsouria, “the city was hit later yesterday by raids by Russian warplanes, which caused the deaths and wounded.”

The Smart News Agency and the White Helmets noted that a woman also died, while the White Helmets added that three of its members were wounded.

A young infant was later pulled alive from the rubble (see image below).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–20
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • A wounded man in the aftermath of an airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th 2017 (via Al Souria)
  • 'Image of an infant was recovered alive from under the rubbles in suspected Russian warplanes fired 2 missiles fired on Sarmin city in Idlib governorate northern suburbs on April 28, 2017.'
  • Destruction in Sarmin following an alleged Russian raid, April 28th 2017.
  • Images published by the White Helmets showing the aftermath of airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th, in which members of the White Helmets were among up to 20 civilians wounded. A woman was also reportedly killed. (via White Helmets)
  • Images published by the White Helmets showing the aftermath of airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th, in which members of the White Helmets were among up to 20 civilians wounded. A woman was also reportedly killed. (via White Helmets)
  • Images published by the White Helmets showing the aftermath of airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th, in which members of the White Helmets were among up to 20 civilians wounded. A woman was also reportedly killed. (via White Helmets)
  • Images published by the White Helmets showing the aftermath of airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th, in which members of the White Helmets were among up to 20 civilians wounded. A woman was also reportedly killed. (via White Helmets)
  • Images published by the White Helmets showing the aftermath of airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th, in which members of the White Helmets were among up to 20 civilians wounded. A woman was also reportedly killed. (via White Helmets)
  • Images published by the White Helmets showing the aftermath of airstrike on Sarmin, April 28th, in which members of the White Helmets were among up to 20 civilians wounded. A woman was also reportedly killed. (via White Helmets)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–20
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2196

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Location

سرج,, Sarja, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5816284, 36.9212293 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 28th, Alhuralhalabi reported “the death of a woman injured by a previous Russian air raid on the village of Sarja in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

According to RFS Media Office, “Huda Ahmed Haj Musa was martyred from the town of Sarja in Jebel al-Zawia in rural Idlib because of the injuries she sustained as a result of the aerial bombardment of the town two days ago by Russian warplanes.”

The Violations Documentation Centre also named the woman and attributed her death to Russian forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2195

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Location

خربة قيس, Kherbit Qais village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.0387, 36.52418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and a child died following alleged Russian airstrikes in the village of Kherbit Qais in eastern Idlib, according to sources on the ground.

Warplanes launched two raids at dawn, according to local sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (6) [ 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
  • (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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2190

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

درعا البلد, Dara al Balad, Daraa, Syria

Geolocation

32.607961, 36.099127 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were wounded, some critically, on the 27th of April 2017 by airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russian warplanes in Daraa al-Balad, according to the Smart News Agency.

Aaswat said that the Assad regime also carried out strikes on Dara al Balad.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2189

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5261134, 36.5813398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed between one and two civilians and injured two others in Kafr Sanja in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April. Multiple sources reported that one of the martyrs was a child, and one source identified the other civilian killed as the child’s father.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (9) [ 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

RS2187

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

الركايا, al Rakaya village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.501782, 36.577313 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians – ‘mostly children’ –  were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on Al-Rakaya in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017. It is unclear which belligerent was responsible for the strike, as some sources blamed Russia while one other blamed the Syrian regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Civilians were wounded in Russian raids on the village of Rikaya and the outskirts of the village of Marzita in the countryside of Idlib'
  • Wounded children following an alleged Russian airstrike on al Rakaya village, April 27th (via SN4HR)

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

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