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

RS2703

Incident date

November 7, 2017

Location

الكمشة, Al-Kamshe, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.629394, 40.930939 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was killed and “dozens” were allegedly injured in an airstrike which bombarded houses between al Foqani and al Jowani roundabouts. Only one source blamed Russia, and the other two did not attribute any blame.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a man was killed and others were injured, as a result of shelling by the warplanes.

Images published show material damage and the body of the civilian killed.

According to Zamanalwasl, “The warplanes also targeted the village of Al-Kashma of the city of Albuqamal, which has been subjected for days to heavy missile and air strikes in the absence of medicines, doctors, drinking water and electricity. The network “Furat Post” that the number of wounded people lost their lives due to lack of medical tools for treatment.”

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
    12–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Kamshe, 7th November 2017. (via Boukamalna)

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
    12–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2548

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Location

اليعقوبية, al Ya’koubiya town, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.920004, 36.313441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed and as many as 15 others were wounded in an airstrike on the village of al Ya’koubiya by warplanes, according to the Idlib Media Centre. Sources all either attributed the blame to Russia or did not blame a belligerent.

The local hospital published a list of 13 named victims who were suffering from injuries.

There was some material damage to the vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bayan Maher Ghalia
16 years old female killed
Ahmed Walid Doubleau
33 years old injured
Walid Doublo
60 years old injured
Nawar Mustafa Doublou
27 years old injured
Khaled Abdel Salam Bashoush
47 years old injured
Ziad Ahmed Jerji
45 years old injured
Ahmed Ziad Jerji
17 years old injured
Ahlam Zaher Abdo
12 years old injured
Zaher Mustafa Abdo
35 years old injured
Rashid Mustafa Abdo
5 years old injured
Khaled Adham Al - Omar
Age unknown injured
Ahmed Abdel-Karim Obaid
Age unknown injured
Nour Yousef Haj Khedr
2 years old injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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 (16) [ 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
    12–15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS121

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20253, 40.37126 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center reported that one named civilian male was killed, allegedly due to “Russian airforce shelling“. VDC named the victim as Soeoud al-Thamer.

No additional information is presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Soeoud al-Thamer
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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Buliyal (البوليل ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.20253, 40.37126. 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

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Dayr ez Zawr governorate between November 3rd-5th 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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3674

Incident date

May 7, 2019

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman named Sabah Al Hamidi was alleged killed by artillery shelling in the village of Zakat, north of Hama. Smart News and Step News blamed Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime

SY 24, Syria TV, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said that the regime was responsible for the woman’s death.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sabah al Hamidi صباح الحميدي
Adult female Wife of Khaled Sattouf Al-Faraj killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'heavy artillery and missile shelling targeted the Zakat village north of Hama'
  • A news report which mentions the death of a woman in shelling of Al Zakat, May 7th.
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike in Hama, though it's unclear if the location shown is Al Zakat (via Sada)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2881

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed and the Civil Defence Centre in Al Lataminah was knocked out of service following alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the vicinity, according to local media.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing responsibility to Russia while others blamed the Syrian regime.

As many as 100 rockets were reportedly fired on the vicinity, in an “intense aerial bombardment” with shelling and artillery.

Sources reported on damage to civilian property and as many as three wounded civilians including a woman and two children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Al Lataminah, 10th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Al Lataminah, 10th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Al Lataminah, 10th Jan 2018. (via Mahmood Alhamwi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded civilians are rescued in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Lataminah, 10th Jan 2018. (via Mahmoud al Hamoui)

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, Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS251

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.37425, 36.6033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the Violations Documentation Centre.

Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan, adult male, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on December 9th 2015. (via, VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kafr Zita (كفر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.37425, 36.6033. 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS3814

Incident date

June 16, 2019

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One women was reported killed in an airstrike on Al Zakat, Hama, on June 16th. She was named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as Isaaf Al-Faraj.

Two sources claimed the death of one woman, and Step News Agency also alleged the wounding of “others” in the attack. Meanwhile, Shaam News reported on the airstrike, but did not cite any civilian casualties

While two sources did not positively attribute blame for the airstrike, Shaam News referred to both Russian forces and the Assad regime in reporting of the incident.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Isaaf Al-Faraj اسعاف حمدو الفرج
Age unknown female Wife of Ismael Ghaleb al-Rahmoun killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ 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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3866

Incident date

July 4, 2019

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a child was killed and his father and others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kansafra, Idlib governorate, around noon on July 4th, 2019. The Syrian Civil Defense was at the scene and reported that the village was struck with an explosive missile.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “the child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, from Bsamis village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, age 9, was killed as fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on east of Kansafra village”.

@SyrianCoalition alleged “the martyrdom of a child and his father’s injury as a result of Russian airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Kansafra in Idlib.”

@AlkhaleejOnline tweeted: “A child was killed and civilians were injured in Russian raids on the town of Kansafra in Idlib countryside.” Other sources also reported multiple wounded but did not specify the number. Ebaa News added that the strikes led to “significant damage” of civilian’s property.

While nearly all sources blamed Russia for the strikes, @ShahbaPress pointed to the Syrian regime. Justice Organisation blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters for the strikes.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi يوسف سمير كفرجومي
9 years old male from Bsames killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A wounded father carrying his son, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Kansafra in Idlib on July 4th (via @SyrianCoalition).
  • A father carrying his nine year old son, Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, who was killed by alleged Russian fired missiles on east Kansafra village on July 4th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense volunteer carries the body of the child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, who was killed by an airstrike on Kansafra on July 4th (via Syrian Civil Defense).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra on July 4th, 2019 (via Justice Organisation).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of the child Yousef Samir Kfarjoumi, who was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra on July 4th, 2019 (via Abdul Rahman KafarJoumi).

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 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]