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

RS3161

Incident date

March 4, 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

A single source reported that “three civilians were killed and others were injured by an air bomb likely to be a Russian on the town of Beit sawa (12 km east of Damascus), pointing to the death of a person from wounds sustained by the past days.”

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
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3159

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and a child were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Kafar Zita, according to local media.

According to sources, “Amira Ahmed Hilal, the wife of Hussein Faraj al-Hussein (Khawada), who was injured by the bombing of the Russian warplane to join her child Maria”.

The source reported that “the martyrdom of a woman and her child and the fall of many of the injured as a result of raids by Russian airliner targeted the town of Kafrzita north of Hama”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mrs. Amira Ahmad al Hilal
37 years old female killed
Maria Hussein al-Hussein
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3162

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians killed and as many as 32 others were wounded in airstrikes on Hamouriya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids.

The Violations Documentation Centre reported that seven unidentified civilians were killed.

There were as many as four raids. There was an intensive “aerial bombardment with rockets and explosive barrels”, @SyriaCivilDefe reported.

One source reported that “Helicopter Aviation renews its target with the explosive barrel of Hamuriya town in the eastern Ghouta”.

According to @SyriaCivilDefe, “The Civil Defence team dispersed a fire in one of the houses of civilians in the town of Hmouriya in al-Ghouta”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    32
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defence put a fire out in someones home, Hamouriya, 4th March 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

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 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    32
  • 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

RS3163

Incident date

March 4, 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

One woman was killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Most sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime or the raids.

Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes launched a rocket-propelled grenade in the center of the city, killing one woman and wounding four others, including two women with varying degrees of injuries, the civil defence ministered to a nearby hospital.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hayat Abdul Karim Salloum Al - Abd
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, 4th March 2018. (via @adham_syria)

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
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS3164

Incident date

March 4, 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

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Lataminah. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime.

Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity.

Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling, artillery fire and phosphorous bombs all fired onto the vicinity.

There are no more details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS3156

Incident date

March 4, 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

Reports claimed that between three and 28 civilians were killed, including 11 children and two women, in air and artillery strikes on Douma. Sources blamed both The Syrian regime and Russia for the raids.

Multiple sources did however report that four of the dead were wounded from a previous strike and died on this exact day. Whether that was from the raids or wounds it is unclear. 28 victims were named overall, two were unidentified.

Dozens of civilians were reportedly wounded.

There were as many as 20 strikes with 30 artillery shells fired onto the residential neighbourhood.

According to Syria TV, “Saeed al-Masri, a member of the civil defence, saved his three-month-old son from the rubble. He never imagined that his mission would be to save his child from the rubble of his home.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al-Hwaid
Adult male killed
Omer Ali Ganoum
Adult male killed
Anwar Shihadeh Eibour
Adult male killed
Safae Salim Idrees
Adult female killed
Yaerob Mohammad al-Hakeem
Child male killed
Mohammad Bassam al-Kharej
Child male killed
Samah Oyoun
Child female killed
Mohammad Ganoum
Adult male killed
Sara Marwan Rashed
Adult female killed
Wael Salim Badawia
Child male killed
Adnan Ali al-Bwaidani
Adult male killed
Sobhi Younes al-Rez
Adult male killed
Mohammad Younes al-Rez
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khair Anwar al-Rez
Adult male killed
Ibraheem al-Mshaewet
Adult male killed
Waheed Ahmad Gadban
Adult male killed
Tawfeeq Hasan al-Shami
Adult male killed
Qosai Mohammad Abd al-Qader
Child male killed
Gazal Mohammad Gazi
Child female killed
Kasem Mohammad Gazi
Child male killed
Gadeer Barkhash
Child female killed
Lana Mohammad Abd al-Qader
Child female killed
Abd al-Rahman Yasin Hamdo
Child male killed
Kasem Mohammad al-Shaikh Bzaineh
Child male killed
Maher Kaekeh
Adult male killed
Mohei al-Deen Zaino
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mwas
Adult male killed
Amer al-Malla
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 31
  • (11 children2 women15 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • A father rescues his own son while on duty with the Syrian Civil Defence, Douma, March 4th 2018. (via Syria TV)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Douma Medical)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Douma Medical)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Douma Medical)
  • Wounded civilians in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Douma Medical)
  • Two bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Yasar Yavuz)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via @Heba1Twofik)
  • Ahmad al-Hawaid (Abu Ziad), killed in airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Abo Hamoud Douma)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad al-Hawaid (Abu Ziad), killed in airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Abo Hamoud Douma)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Syrian Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Syrian Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Syrian Revolution)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies in the aftermath of airstrikes on Douma, 4th March 2018. (via Syrian Revolution)

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
    3 – 31
  • (11 children2 women15 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3165

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3406492, 36.5770697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Zakat. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime.

Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity.

Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling, artillery fire and phosphorous bombs all fired onto the vicinity.

There are no more details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3166

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Location

الزلاقيات, Al Zalaqiyat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.278891, 36.605973 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Zalaqiyat. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime.

Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity.

Sources do however mention that there was heavy shelling, artillery fire and phosphorous bombs all fired onto the vicinity.

There are no more details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (4) [ 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
    0
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]