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

RS3139

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

الحويجة, Al Hwaija, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.51887, 36.36666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians were killed – including a pregnant woman – and three others were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Hwaija, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes.

A man and a pregnant woman were included in the death toll. However, the man named by the Violations Documentation Centre is listed as a non-civilian. It is unclear whether or not these are the same man. The combatant is named as “Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah”.

Some sources named “warplanes” only, however others blamed Russia and the regime as belligerents.

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
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah, named as a non civilian, killed in airstrikes, 2nd March 2018. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah, named as a non civilian, killed in airstrikes, 2nd March 2018. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Muhammad Daheinah, named as a non civilian, killed in airstrikes, 2nd March 2018. (via North Syria latest news)

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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 woman0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

RS3140

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed and “others” were wounded, in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

The named civilian was reported to have been displaced.

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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS3144

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3586059, 36.6483307 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A young man was killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, according to social media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes.

Sources were conflicted as to whether the young man was a civilian or a non-civilian. VDC reported that he was a non-civilian, however all other sources reported he was a civilian.

According to local media, explosive barrels were fired onto the vicinity.

VDC also reported that he was killed in a “bombardment by the Russian aggression on the agricultural land of the city where he was riding his motorcycle on the road of Al Lattamna- Latmeen”.

An unspecified number of civilians were also injured in the raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Khaled Salem al-Zidan
18 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Latmeen, 2nd march 2018. (via Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • Muhammad Khaled Salem al-Zidan, killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, 2nd march 2018. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3141

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.537531, 36.399937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians were reported as killed, and others injured, due to air and artillery strikes in Beit Sawa, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

The raids struck a residential area, and killed as many as three children.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported “three martyrs, including one child, as a result of aerial bombardments, artillery and cluster rockets on residential neighbourhoods in the town of Beat Sawa and Masraba in eastern Al Ghouta.”

The only other details given by local media are that members of the Civil Defence were at the scene digging victims from the rubble.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ibraheem Fares
Child male killed
Hamzeh Ibraheem al-Fares
Child male killed
Sobhia Omer
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3142

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

مسرابا, Mesraba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55027, 36.39659 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in napalm bomb strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Mesraba, local media reported.

Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, however the majority of source attributed blame to the Syrian regime.

Huge fires were caused as a result of the napalm, which resulted in material damage.

Most sources reported that only one victim was killed, however the Violations Documentation Centre reported that there were two unidentified adult male bodies at the scene.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The affects of napalm bombs on Mesraba, 2nd March 2018. (via @BassamJaara)
  • The affects of napalm bombs on Mesraba, 2nd March 2018. (via Alaa Al Ahmad

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 – 2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3143

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

دير العصافير, Dear Al Asafir, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.465316, 36.418111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported to have been killed in airstrikes by both the Syrian regime and Russia. Syrian Network for Human Rights was the only source to report on this raid.

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

Sources (1) [ 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3138

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In this incident, as many as 14 civilians, including two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded, as airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russia, the Syrian regime, or both, struck Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, reported local media.

Step News Agency reported that “in the morning hours, the military and helicopter gunships launched a number of air strikes targeting the city of Douma”.

The airstrikes, that hit residential neighbourhoods, killed at least two but as many as 14 civilians, local reports said.

Violations Documentation Center, for example, reported 13 fatalities, ten identified by name and counted two women. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who reported 14 fatalities, also mentioned the death of two women.

The number of wounded spanned from two to as many as “dozens” as reported by Douma revolution.  Al-Jazeera’s correspondent said that among the wounded was a number of civil defence members while other sources also mentioned that children were among the injured.

While most sources reported about aerial shelling, others mentioned artillery shelling as well. For example, Douma revolution reported that the assault had included  “17 air strikes, ten explosive barrels, three surface-to-surface missiles and a number of rocket-propelled grenades.”

Sources were, however, unclear in terms of culpability. While some, including @MasarPressNet and @alaraby_ar blamed the Syrian regime, others, such as Smart News Agency identified Russia as responsible.

Finally, a handful of reports, including Douma revolution and Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed both belligerents.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 14
  • (2 women8 men)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The Syrian Civil Defense team on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the contested airstrike in Douma, eastern Ghouta on March 2nd, 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Some of the victims of the contested strikes in Douma, Damascus, March 2nd, 2018 (via Douma Revolution)

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 March 1st - 31st 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 14
  • (2 women8 men)
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3145

Incident date

March 2, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamna, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians was wounded and three were killed due to air and artillery strikes on Al Latamna, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

Although Smart News reported that the aftermath was limited to material damage, Step News reported that some civilians were wounded and three had been killed.

Rockets, artillery and explosive barrel bombs were reported to have been used, and a helicopter was sited by locals.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • 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 (7) [ 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
    0 – 3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]