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

RS2664

Incident date

October 30, 2017

Location

الطيانة, Tayaneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.993798, 40.548059 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that “Russian warplanes targeted the village of Al Tayana with more than 6 raids, resulting in the death of a man and several civilian casualties and damage to property.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2790

Incident date

December 8, 2017

Location

مخيم البارودية, Baroodiya refugee camp in the village of Jib al-Sukkar in the eastern countryside of Hama., Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.133346, 36.75867 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult female was killed in an airstrike which “targeted” Baroodiya refugee camp in the village of Jib al-Sukkar in the eastern countryside of Hama, local media said. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes.

Five civilians were reportedly wounded in the raids.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

55 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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

RS2432

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Location

قرية الجيعة, Al-Jaya'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.381935, 40.136107 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Al-Jaya’a village in Deir Ezzor Governorate was hit by air strikes on September 12th 2017, reportedly killing one girl and injuring five civilians from the same family.  Multiple sources accused the Russian forces of carrying out these strikes.

No further information was provided as to the identity of the girl killed or the members of the family who were injured in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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

RS2837

Incident date

January 2, 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 bakery was hit with alleged Russian warplanes, causing the death of one civilian and the injury of another in Saraqeb. Most sources reported that Russian warplanes were to blame for the raids. DCHRS however reported that a civilian was “was shot by unknown source”.

The bakery was reportedly rendered out of use, and there were huge fires. Alquds News suggested the use of burning napalm by Russian warplanes. They were the only source to report this.

The “intensive raids” also struck “Ma’arat al-Nu’man and its environs, the towns of Taha, the outskirts of Khan Yunis, and the outskirts of Khan Shaykhoun, and Talmans, the vicinity of the town of Saraqeb and the vicinity of Ma’asran.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In an article published on January 30th 2018 Russia reported: ”crews of the Aerospace Forces of Russia had successfully performed 34,561 sorties. The Minister of Defence pointed out that the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, as well as the Su-24M, Su-34 and Su-35S short-range aircraft had proved to be efficient. The Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers delivered 66 strikes by cruise missiles, and each eliminated the assigned target. The Minister of Defence also stated that Russian UAVs provided complete control over the whole Syrian territory. The head of the military department paid attention to the significant contribution to the achievement of the operation made by the Navy. The naval surface forces carried out 171 combat missions. The ships and submarines carried out 100 high-precision attacks with the Kalibr cruise missiles. For the first time, the aircraft carrier "Admiral of the Soviet Union Fleet Kuznetsov" participated in combat operations. Due to high professional skills of deck aircraft, 1,252 terrorist objects were eliminated.”

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS130

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

ضاحية الكهرباء, Dahiat al Kharaba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1682296, 37.0184326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that one male civilian was killed in an alleged strike by Russian warplanes on the Dahiat al Kharaba region, between the towns of Kafr Naha and Khan al Assal. Al Jazeera, the Step Agency and Zaitonmag also said attacks in the vicinity were the work of Russia.

However, VDC and Halab News listed the dead civilian as having been killed in “regime army forces shelling.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohamad Kafou
Adult male killed

Summary

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

  • Two members of The White Helmets holding the remnants of the cluster munitions shells, following an alleged Russian raid on, November 7th (via SNHR)
  • a video shows the martyr Ahmad Muhammad

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

RS3386

Incident date

April 1, 2018

Location

قرية جوزيف, Joseph Village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.719095, 36.475489 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Joseph in the Idlib countryside, local sources reported.

A high-explosive missile hit the outskirts of the town wounding the woman. She was rushed to hospital by civil defense teams but died upon arrival.

Several civilians were also reported wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "A female martyr in a Russian air strike with a high-explosive missile targeting the outskirts of town # Joseph near the city of Jericho in the countryside # Idlib"

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
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS260

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre alleged that Russian warplanes carried out dawn airstrikes on Najieh village.

One adult male victim has been named by the VDC as Nabeil Shawa, who died “due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling of the town with cluster bombs.”

The village mosque was also badly damaged in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nabeil Shawa
Adult male "died due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling of the town with cluster bombs." killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Photographic evidence of the destruction caused. (via, Haroun al Zeir)
  • Images taken as the airstrike fell through the sky. (via, Jable News)
  • The inside of a Mosque after an airstrike in Najieh. (via, Al Najiegh Town)
  • This is the main square in Al Najieh village. (via, Sema tweet)
  • Nabil Shawwar, adult male, killed on December 11th 2015. (via, Al Najieh Town)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2911

Incident date

January 18, 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 baby was “burned” to death and as many as 12 others civilians were injured, in alleged napalm bomb strikes which hit the residential neighbourhood of Saraqeb, according to local media. All sources attributed Moscow to blame for the strikes.

Sources reported that “dozens of strikes” struck “blood bank”, also known as medical facilities. The facilities were rendered out of service in the aftermath of the raids.

Footage was published show huge fires which broke out due to the use of Internationally Banned Napalm bombs, or “rockets containing incendiary materials” – according to @SyriaCivilDefe.

Many civilians were left with serious burns, including as many as four children and four women – according to Jorf News.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

10 months old years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • Just moments after napalm bombs struck residential housing in Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via ZaitonMagazine)
  • Just moments after napalm bombs struck residential housing in Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • Just moments after napalm bombs struck residential housing in Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Ahmad430Raqqa)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Just moments after napalm bombs struck residential housing in Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Malek News)
  • Fires in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A missile shell in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Fires in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Fires in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Fires in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @bakerahmd299)
  • Muhannad Ahmed al-Awad, burned to death in a napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @Wesal_TV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhannad Ahmed al-Awad, burned to death in a napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @Wesal_TV)
  • The aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhannad Ahmed al-Awad, burned to death in a napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Jorf News)
  • The aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhannad Ahmed al-Awad, burned to death in a napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded civilians in the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Saraqeb, 18th Jan 2018. (via Al Latamna youth group)

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
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]