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

RS2114

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Location

كفرزيتا , Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.374143, 36.601896 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that one child died and several others were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Zita. All sources but one blamed Russia.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights also pointed to the regime, reporting that “the child Abdullah Mostafa Arafat, age 6, was killed when the Syrian- Russian alliance warplanes missiles fired on Kafr Zita city in Hama governorate northern suburbs on April 11, 2017.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male A victim of "Russian cluster bombs" killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Bombing with internationally banned cluster bombs on the town of Kfar Zeita in rural Hama, 2017/4/11'
  • Footage of graves of those killed in a bombing on Kafr Zita, April 11th. (via Asi Press)
  • Abdullah Mostafa Arafat , killed in an alleged Russian cluster bomb attack on Kafr Zita, April 119th Ivia VDC)
  • Abdallah Mostafa Arafat (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
    1
  • (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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2107

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Location

دارة عزة , Dira’t Izza, Aleppoo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged airstrike hit the village of Dira’t Izza causing severe destruction. Some sources attributed the strike to Russian warplanes, whereas others alleged they were conducted by the Syrian regime.

One civilian was reportedly killed. A total of 15 other civilians were reportedly injured. According to the Syrian Civil Defence team, they managed to pull four wounded civilians from under the rubble, including one woman and two children. 

There are no other known details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aleppo Civil Defense workers attempting to rescue survivors of an alleged Russian airstrike on April 10th 2017 in Dira't Izza, Aleppo, Syria (via Aleppo Civil Defense).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian is pulled from the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes, Darat Izza 10th April 2017. (via SCD)

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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

RS2140

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

حور , Hour, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.88256, 38.17169 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hour, local media said.

Smart News Agency reported: “A civilian was killed and others wounded on Tuesday after an air strike likely to have been carried out by Russian warplanes over a city and a town in western Aleppo, northern Syria, according to civil defense and activists.”

Halabtoday also attributed the civilian harm to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2212

Incident date

May 3, 2017

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9916361, 36.3938856 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One girl was killed and up to 24 other civilians were wounded following an incident in a camp for displaced people in Darkoush, Idlib, that was possibly caused by a Russian drone, local media reported.

Several sources reported the death of a nine-year-old girl while the number of wounded varied between five and 24. Moreover, hundreds of tents were set on fire and many were left homeless, local media said.

The incident took place in the so-called ‘Aleppo 1 Camp’, west of Darkoush, Idlib, near the Turkish border.

While most sources pointed to an unidentified unmanned aircraft, one source, Orient News, reported that a fire broke out in the camp, causing a plane to crash, which only increased the fire.

Syria News Desk likewise reported that the head of the Al-Bunyan camp, Abdul Jabbar Khalil, told the media that “a gas jar exploded in one of the camps for displaced persons near the city of Drakoush on the border with Turkey known as ‘Aleppo 1 Camp’ – and a huge fire broke out”.

However, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “cross-sources confirmed that the fire broke out due to bombing by planes believed to be unmanned, which targeted the mosque located in the village within a series of camps known as Camps of Osman Ibn Affan’.”

A witness on the ground told Umayyapress that “a remote reconnaissance plane bombed the Jamiliya camp at the beginning, and then the camp (Aleppo 1) was shelled with a gas canister in one of the tents.”

The Shaam News Network was the only source that blamed Russia, reporting: “A Russian reconnaissance plane fired small-scale missiles on the Al-Wafa and Halab 1 camps in Jisr al-Shughur, causing large fires in the camps, burning dozens of tents, Dozens of civilians were wounded and a child was killed”.

It is unclear whether the incident was even caused by a drone or merely a fire on the ground.

The incident occured around dusk.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The contested air raid set many of the camp's tents on fire in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Umayyapress)
  • The contested air raid set many of the camp's tents on fire in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Umayyapress)
  • The contested air raid set many of the camp's tents on fire in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Umayyapress)
  • The contested air raid set many of the camp's tents on fire in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Umayyapress)
  • The contested air raid set many of the camp's tents on fire in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Umayyapress)
  • The contested air raid set many of the camp's tents on fire in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Umayyapress)
  • Aftermath of the destructive air raid in Aleppo 1 camp in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via HalabTodayTV)
  • Immediate aftermath of the destructive air raid in Aleppo 1 camp in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Coordination of Jisr Al Shughur)
  • Aftermath of the destructive air raid in Aleppo 1 camp in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via HalabTodayTV)
  • White Helmets members trying extinguish the fire in the wake of the contested UAV hitting a camp in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Idlib Syria White Helmets)
  • White Helmets members trying extinguish the fire in the wake of the contested UAV hitting a camp in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via Idlib Syria White Helmets)
  • White Helmets members trying extinguish the fire in the wake of the contested UAV hitting a camp in Darkoush, Idlib, May 3rd, 2017 (via SN4HR)

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 May 1st - 31st 2017.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2324

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Location

عقيبرات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed one child and wounded several others as the ISIS-held city of Akeirbat, Hama, was hit from the skies, local media reported.

Smart News Agency was the only source reporting about the civilian harm caused by the airstrikes. The media reported; “a child was killed and others were injured in an air strike that is likely to be Russian on a town controlled by the Islamic State, east of Hama city, central Syria”.

Meanwhile, the remaining sources cited the Russian Ministry of Defence, who allegedly announced that type T-95 bombs were launched on July 5th, targeting ISIS-controlled warehouses.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video of the moment three alleged Russian airstrikes are being launched in Akeirbat, Hama, July 5th, 2017 (via RT Arabic)
  • Video of the moment three alleged Russian airstrikes are being launched in Akeirbat, Hama, July 5th, 2017 (via Sputnik Arabic)

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2586

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Location

حي المهندسين الاول, Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.0962042, 36.9626427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed, and as many as eight more civilians were wounded – including five from the same family – following an air and artillery strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo. All sources either blamed Russia for the air and artillery strikes, or they did not attribute any blame.

The shelling allegedly struck civilian housing and the “Association of Engineers” – also known as the “Rif Al Mohandseen Society” – with what sources claim was as many as four airstrikes.

According to sources, RPG’s and missiles were used in the raid.

There was large material destruction including that to civilian housing.

Mohammed Owaid reported that there were “three air strikes, the most violent of the kind targeted civilian homes in the countryside of the first Al Mohandseen. The percentage of destruction is very large and there are wounded and trapped under the rubble.”

According to sources, civilians were trapped under the rubble of their homes, while Civil Defence forces attempting to pull them out of the rubble. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported later on that the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of the injured.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 (45) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian strikes on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Al - Jisr Satellite Channel )
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Baladi-News Network)
  • The exact moment the strike hit Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Hasan Jneed)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young man killed in alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid)
  • White Helmets dig victims out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Facebook )
  • White Helmets dig victims out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Facebook )
  • White Helmets dig victims out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Facebook )
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid )
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid )
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, 2nd October 2017. (via Mohammed Owaid )

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 October 1st – 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–8
  • 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 (45) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2608

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Location

معبر في الميادين, Crossing in the al Mayadeen area, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.016667, 40.444167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this single-source event, one civilian man was reported killed by alleged Russian airstrikes in the crossing in the Al Mayadeen area of Deir Ezzor, Al Mayadeen Facebook page reported.

The Al Mayadeen Facebook page mentioned the death of Mahmud Hamwi as it was listing victims from alleged Russian strikes in different parts of al-Mayadeen on October 7th, 2017.

Currently, no further details are available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male From Tayba killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 October 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2832

Incident date

December 31, 2017

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'ret Al Nu'man, Idlib , Syria

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several others were left wounded as an alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrike hit Ma’ret Al Nu’man, Idlib, local media reported.

@aladeyeh and Masar Press, who both identified Russia as the culprit, reported one fatality and two wounded.

Meanwhile, @OsamaKaial reported that the strike had wounded several civilians. It was the only source that blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (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.




Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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