Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

RS2550

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

قرية الزعينية , al Zayniyeh village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.841314, 36.225318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed and six others injured as a result of airstrikes, likely to be Russian, reportedly targeted houses in the village of al Zayniyeh, according to Smart News.

Other sources reported one adult male killed and a number of other civilians wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Mustafa Amro
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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]

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
    2–6
  • 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

RS091

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Location

ابديتا, Ibdita, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.71941, 36.54163 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian man named as Ahmed Murr was reported killed and 10 people injured in an alleged Russian morning airstrike on the village of Ibdita. His two sons were also critically wounded in the attack.

In a later news feature, Shaam News reported: “Samer was taken to the hospital in Ma’arat, where his body was put in one of the morgue fridges among the dead until one of the nurses heard sounds and quickly checked inside the fridge to find Samer still alive. He was quickly transferred to Idlib, and then to Karakhan in Turkey – where he underwent several operations to remove shrapnel from his head which led the green-eyed boy to lose his sight.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Murr
Adult male killed
Samer
Adult male injured

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
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Samer Murr, blinded in a reportred Russian airstrike which also killed his father (via Shaam News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    SNN facebook post on November 2nd update says Samer Murr is still alive and is being treated in Hospital Can in the town of Karkhan in Turkey. (via SNN)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Ibdita (ابديتا), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.71941, 36.54163. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

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
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3646

Incident date

May 2, 2019

Location

أبديتا, Abdita, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One elderly man died and a woman was wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib, according to local media.

According to the White Helmets, “a man was killed and a large house and property destroyed when a fire broke out in the village of Abdita. Helicopters targeted the village of Ibdita, south of the city of Ariha, with four high explosive barrels in the evening [of May 2nd], resulting in the death of one man”.

Thefreesyria.org named Mohammed Nour al-Hamoud as killed in shelling, while the Step News Agency said one man died when barrel bombs were dropped.

@samerdaboul6 added that a woman was wounded in a Russian strike, while the White Helmets said that “five explosive devices targeted civilian houses…injuring a woman.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Nour al-Hammoud محمد نور الحمود
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Destruction in Abdita following a barrel bomb strike, May 2nd (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in Abdita following a barrel bomb strike, May 2nd (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in Abdita following a barrel bomb strike, May 2nd (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in Abdita following a barrel bomb strike, May 2nd (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in Abdita following a barrel bomb strike, May 2nd (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Abdita, May 2nd (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Abdita, May 2nd (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Abdita, May 2nd (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Abdita, May 2nd (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Abdita, May 2nd (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath of strikes on Abdita, May 2nd (via Enabbaladi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets rush to the scene of an airstrike in Abdita, May 2nd.
  • Destruction caused by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdita on May 2nd, 2019. (via Ebaa news )
  • Destruction caused by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdita on May 2nd, 2019. (via Ebaa news )
  • Muhammad Nour Al Hammoud, an elderly man, died as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdita.

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS123

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One nine-year-old girl was killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that regime warplanes were responsible, but the VDC – who named the girl as Shatha Dawood – said she was killed by Russian strikes. Most other sources also blamed Russia.

The Assad regime had reportedly carried out strikes on the town the night before. A video also appears to show cluster munitions being dropped on Khan Sheikhoun on November 5th.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shatha Dawood
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment an airstrike hit Khan Sheikhoun, Nov 5th (via Syriamubasher SLN)
  • Shatha Dawood

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

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)
  • 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

RS155

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.864249, 36.804977 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian midnight raid on Saraqib destroyed a bakery in the town. The Idlib Media Centre complained that “this oven is for baking, it’s not the headquarters of the rebels.”

While The Syrian Observatory and Idlib Media Centre reported unspecified casualties, the Syrian News Desk put the toll at one civilian killed, with six injured.

A woman named as a teacher who was reported by VDC as killed in the town in an unspecified airstrike on November 18th. However Smart News attributes this event to the regime, and an accompanying video suggests this may be a separate incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatme Saleem
Adult female a Teacher killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense - Khan Shikhun Center directed a young man from the rubble as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports carrying out cruise missile strikes in Idlib governorate on November 17th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

RS188

Incident date

November 22, 2015

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

The Violations Documentation Center listed one adult male civilian, a Palestinian national, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma.

However, the VDC listed seven further civilians killed that day in Douma “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Syrian Observatory cites the Assad regime as being responsible for the event.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

 Mohammad Jaber
Adult male named by VDC 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirmed the following for November 21st-23rd 2015: “Aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed 141 combat sorties engaging 472 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah, and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

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

Incident Code

RS220

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes allegedly targeted the areas of Al Tamaanah and Tal A’as. A woman and her unborn child were said by Syria News to have been killed – though it blamed the Assad regime for the deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Tamani’ah (التمانعة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.457626, 36.750314. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Idlib.

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS253

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Location

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807607, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 30-year-old male civilian, Mohammad Muffed Razzouq, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Salheen, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

No further details are available at the present time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Muffed Razzouq
30 years old 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]