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

RS2741

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that seven civilians, including two children, were killed in an airstrike undertaken by an “unknown” belligerent in Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, on November 18th.

Smart News reported that “seven civilians, including two children, were killed and 20 others were wounded in an “unknown” aerial bombardment of a camp for displaced people in Deir al-Zour, near the town of Hajin, 95 kilometers east of Deir al-Zour city, activists said on Saturday.”

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2743

Incident date

November 19, 2017

Location

مديرا, Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.544613, 36.3861 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians, including four children and one woman, were killed while as many as dozens were wounded, local media reported, following Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in Madyara village, aastern Ghouta, Damascus.

While the death toll spanned from five to seven, most reported six civilian fatalities.

For example, The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Six civilians (four children and their parents) killed as Syrian- Russian alliance warplanes fired missiles on Madyara village in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs governorate on November 19 2017.”

Several sources tweeted the names of six victims from the same family, including Violations Documentation Center for Syria (VDC).

The Step News Agency put the death toll at seven, adding that “dozens” more were wounded.

Enabbaladi reported on regime strikes in Eastern Ghouta: “According to statistics published by Al-Gawta Media Center on Saturday (November 18th), 14 children and eight women were killed after the aerial bombardment of the eastern towns and villages of Ghouta.”

Sources were, however, conflicting in terms of culpability, as blame was attributed to both Russia and the Syrian regime across the reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult male The father killed
Fadia Shahrour
Adult female The mother
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • "Image shows a member of civil defense holding body parts of victim of massacre committed by Syrian-Russian alliance warplanes in Madyara village in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs governorate, on November 19, 2017." (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Madyra, Nov 19th (via Al Ain.com)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, aastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via Abdullah Mustafa)
  • Some of the victims of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via Abdullah Mustafa)
  • One of the child victims of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via Abdullah Mustafa)
  • Many parts of eastern Ghouta were subject to aerial shelling on November,19th, 2017, depicted on the footage, possibly from Madyara village (via Sakrr121)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via @op2065)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via @op2065)
  • Aftermath of the contested shelling of a family's house in Madyara village, eastern Ghouta, November 19th, 2017 (via @op2065)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

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 November 4th - 20th 2017.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1679 IRS001

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

القريا, Al Quoriya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.96, 40.55 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed by a drone strike in al Qouriya, local media said, though neither source has said who was responsible.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “two men were killed and another was wounded after being targeted by a drone in the al-Quriyah area”.

Sharqiya Voice provided some more detail, naming the victims as Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al Aboud and Ali Abdul Rahman Al Aboud, and said that they “were targeted by an unmanned drone after they lost their way and approached the front line of IS in the city of Qouriya”. It added that “Hamid Al-Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sayel was injured in the eyes”.

The United States, UK and Iran all operate armed drones above Syria.

Eabirsabil published two videos on YouTube showing ” the signs of the destruction following unprecedented raids on the town”. Meanwhile, Al Araby TV and Smart confirmed that the regime had control of al Qouriya – suggesting that any strike may have been linked to regime or Russian aircraft.

On December 11th, 2019, SHRC  reported that  Ibrahim Mamoun Al-Qaitum, a child, has died of injuries in the shelling of Qah camp.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al Aboud
male killed
Ali Abdul Rahman Al Aboud
male killed

The victims were named as:

Hamid Al-Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sayel
Age unknown male injured
Ibrahim Mamoun Al-Qaitum
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Qurayya (القريا), for which the coordinates are: 34.96, 40.55

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For November 19th-20th the Coalition publicly reported no strikes in Syria.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

Syrian Regime
  • Oct 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (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
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2746

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

القورية, Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.96, 40.55 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, a father and son, were killed and at least another two were wounded as an unidentified drone struck in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported.

In the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights general reporting from the Euphrates River, the media reported that “two men were killed and another were wounded after being targeted by a drone in al-Quriyah area.”

Several sources reported that the two victims, both identified by name, were father and son.

Meanwhile, @mo7ama6 reported three civilian fatalities along with “dozens of wounded”. However, it should be noted that it said that the airstrike struck the Suf al-Rifai camp which is a few kilometers from al-Qouriya.

Finally, Sharqiya Voice, reported that two victims were “injured in the eyes, as they were targeted by an unmanned drone after they lost their way and approached the front line of IS in the city of Qouriya.”

None of the sources apportioned blame, but as the event took place on the Syrian regime/Russian side of the river, both are, as of now, suspected belligerents.

Also, it is unclear whether the strikes in the Suf al-Rifai camp are the same as reported by the two other sources, but as of now, they will be treated as the same incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Ali Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud reportedly died in an unidentified air or drone strike along with his young son in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, November 20th, 2017 (via Ahmad Al Kar`an)
  • Ali Abdul Rahman Al Ali Al-Aboud reportedly died in an unidentified air or drone strike along with his father in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, November 20th, 2017 (via Ahmad Al Kar`an)

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 November 4th - 20th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2744

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

زملكازملكا, Zamalka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Possible Russian airstrikes hit Zamalka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported, resulting in three civilian injuries.

Several media reported that Zamalka was subject to aerial shelling. According to @Hamza42129319, the town was hit by four raids.

However, only Smart News Agency reported that the strikes had caused civilian harm: “Three wounded [civilians] by warplanes likely to be Russian raid on the city of Zamaleka in rural Damascus”.

Also, Smart News Agency was the only available source that attributed blame.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ 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 November 4th - 20th 2017.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2745

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

السوسة السوسة, al Soussa, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Step News Agency reported that “many civilians were wounded to varying degrees” by alleged Russian strikes on al Soussa.

According to Euphrates Post on November 20th, there was “Intense displacement of people in the towns of al-Baghouz, al-Safafna, al-Marashda and al-Soussa in the Albukamal countryside due to the continuous aerial and artillery shelling around the clock.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2747

Incident date

November 22, 2017

Location

صحيان, Sahiyan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.700000, 36.700000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, Smart News Agency, reported that three civilians were left slightly wounded as an aircraft, “likely to be Russian”, carried out air raids on the highway in the town of Sihan, south of Idlib. The strikes reportedly struck a highway restaurant.

Currently, there are no further details available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 4th - 20th 2017.


Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

RS2762

Incident date

November 23–24, 2017

Location

ابوحردوب, Abou Hardoub, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.853038, 40.637715 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed and others were injured in air and artillery strikes on Abou Hardoub, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Local media reported that house of Oweid Al Dulan struck. He was killed as well as two members of his family

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Oweid Al Dulan
60 years old male killed
Khaled Slueiman Oweid Mohammad al-Dulan
Child male killed
Grandchild of Oweid Mohammad al-Dulan
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Victims of the raids on Abou Hardoub, 25th Nov 2017. (via S.M.C.)
  • Victims of the raids on Abou Hardoub, 25th Nov 2017. (via S.M.C.)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

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
    3
  • (2 children1 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]