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

RS1320

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

الشيخ خضر, al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2219801, 37.1749448 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed in bombings on the neighbourhood of al-Sheikh Khudar in Aleppo on September 23rd, local sources reported.

Most outlets reported on the death in similar language to @true_tube, as one of many in “a raid on nearly 30 neighbourhoods.”

Halab News’ list of martyrs included one entry for an unidentified civilian in al-Sheikh Khudar.

According to al Souria News and Zamanalwasl News, the strikes were carried out by Russian warplanes in conjunction with regime helicopters.

@Sy_Reporter tweeted about “Russian raids on the city of Aleppo.”

A tweet from @Mojahed_syr showed a young man facing the camera, standing in a huge crater in the side of a building.

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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Boy standing in the rubble caused by the contested airstrikes in al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Sept 23rd (via Mojahed_Syr)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1384

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.231951, 37.170997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and others were wounded in what most sources said was a Syrian regime artillery strike on Aleppo’s al Halak neighbourhood. There was, however, one allegation against Russia.

But @al-AMAWI, @Free_TV_Syria, Smart News Agency, Step News Agency, LCCSY and Halab News Network all pointed to a regime artillery strike causing civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

80 years old named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (9) [ 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 – 19th 2016.

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
    1–2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1450

Incident date

October 13, 2016

Location

ارض الحمرا, Al Ard al Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.229216, 37.208977 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and nine more were wounded in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime air or artillery strike on Aleppo’s Al Ard al Hamra neighbourhood.

According to Zaitonmag, “Assad artillery shelling in Ard Al-Hamra wounded nine people badly.”

Halab News listed one unidentified civilian as killed in a Russian strike on Al Ard al Hamra neighbourhood, while the Shaam News Network reported that both Russia and the regime carried out strikes on Aleppo on October 13th resulting in one death in Al Ard al Hamra.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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]

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 – 19th 2016.

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
    9
  • 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

RS1482

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A member of the White Helmets died and five of his colleagues were wounded, along with “dozens more civilians” in a strike on the Civil Defence center in the city of Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Sources noted that the Civil Defence Center – “the most important center in the southern Idlib countryside” – was almost completely destroyed by the strike. While most sources blamed Russia, two others pointed to the Syrian regime. Several reports said that “rocket-propelled grenades” had been used in the attack.

According to Syria News Desk, “a member of the civil defence was killed and five others wounded at noon today [Oct 20th], due to the Russian warplanes raid targeting the civil defence center in the town of Maaret al-Numan

“The media opposition activist Khaled AlIdlbi of Idlib countryside told Syria News Desk that the raid hit the center building directly, pointing out that the wounded were taken to the field hospital in Maaret al-Numan”.

Qasioun, who also blamed Russia, said that dozens of civilians were also wounded.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government warplanes ” for the death of “Bassam Ghassan Hadla, born in 1986, from Hama city”.

Bof-sy also pointed towards the regime, reporting that “sources in the Civil Defense of Anatolia, who did not wish to reveal their identity for security reasons, said that the Syrian regime’s aircraft bombed the Civil Defence Center in Ma’arat al-Nu’man, killing a volunteer and causing significant damage to the building, equipment and vehicles”.

A number of sources tweeted graphic images showing blood on the ground in the center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bassam Ghassan Hadla
Adult male member of the White Helmets killed
Ahmed Hablousi
Age unknown male member of the White Helmets injured

Summary

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

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Inside an ambulance in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Maarat al Numan, Oct 20th (via SN4HR)
  • A friend of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, carries his uniform away from the scene after he died in a field hospital. (via Baladi News Network)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Sdusyria)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Sdusyria)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Sdusyria)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, including graphic footage of pools of blood left where he fell. Cluster bomb shells are also seen in this footage. (via Rim turkmani)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Enabbaladi)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn at the burial of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • A man holds a pair of glasses covered in blood. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmed Hablousi, wounded in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via Smart)
  • Friends mourn after the death of Bassam Ghassan Hadla, killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which targeted a field hospital. (via RevolutionSyria)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmed Hablousi, wounded in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via omar_alwan1)
  • Field hospital struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids and rendered out of use. (via t3aawn)
  • An ambulance which was damaged in the raid. (via t3aawn)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via t3aawn)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The uniform of Bassam Ghassan Hadla on the floor where he was killed by an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid in Maarat al Numan which struck a field hospital. (via t3aawn)
  • Field hospital targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids and rendered out of use. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

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)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1974

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Location

Idlib city, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9266201, 36.6180588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one woman died – and was possibly killed, according to one report – in multiple airstrikes on different neighbourhoods in Idlib, local media said. While most reports blamed Russia, there were also allegations against the regime.

Syria News Desk reported the only fatality, one woman: “A woman was killed and other civilians were injured today [March 16th] as Russian warplanes conducted three raids Idlib city which is controlled by the opposition.

“Media activist Wael Al-Adelbi from the city told the Syria News Desk that the raids hit the surroundings of al-Mutanabbi and al-Zira in Idlib. The civil defense teams recovered the victims and treated the injured in a hospital inside the city, and removed the debris caused by the shelling.”

Multiple other sources said that a woman was wounded in the shelling. Sources said that the locations struck included:

The Al Mutanabi area (including the Mutanabi roundabout)
The Firn Al-Zazra area
Al Souq Al Sha’abi
The edge of a popular market

According to Eda2a, “Russian and Syrian warplanes renewed their rocket-propelled grenade attacks on the Syrian city of Idlib”.

 

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Scenes of destruction caused by the bombing of the warplanes Idlib morning, 2017/3/16'

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 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2525

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Location

ﺍﻟﺨﺮﻃﻴﺔ, al Kharita, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.47132, 40.0090642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was killed in airstrikes against the town of al Kharita in Deir Ezzor governorate according to local sources. It is unclear which belligerent was to blame for the strikes, however some sources here confirm there were clashes with the Syrian regime and Russia and Daesh in the area around that date.

While the incident was reported about on September 24th, Marsad al Hassaka identified that the airstrikes had actually occurred a few days before that so it is unclear the exact date of the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS124

Incident date

November 6, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There was no airstrike conducted on Nov 6th; however, VDC claimed that Mostafa Assem al Arki was killed during alleged Russian air forces shelling in the village Qaryatain. Mostafa Assem al Arki’s death perhaps come after his injured due to the airstrike carried out on Nov 2nd and he died four days later.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mostafa Assem al Arki
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2928

Incident date

January 21, 2018

Location

ايبلا, Ebla, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.937828, 36.872145 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed when alleged Russian airstrikes struck the University of Ebla, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the “heavy aerial bombardament” on the vicinity.

According to Baladi News there were more than 15 raids on the area which damaged the University building and destroyed its property.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike struck the University of Ebla, 21st Jan 2018. (via Syrian Civil Defence Centre)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike which hit the University of Ebla, 21st Jan 2018. (via SN4HR)

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
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]