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

RS3414

Incident date

April 23, 2018

Location

مخيم اليرموك ,الحجر الأسود , التضامن ,القدم, Al Yarmouk refugee camp , Al Hajar Al Aswad , Al Kadam and Al Tadamn, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.473938, 36.300631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Syrian warplanes reportedly carried out 160 air raids on Al Yarmouk refugee camp, as well as the neighborhoods of Al Hajar Al Aswad , Al Kadam and Al Tadamn.

More than 40 land-to-surface missiles were launched alongside 35 bombs from helicopters, according to Douma Revolution. Syrian forces also delivered hundreds of rocket-propelled grenades.

The shelling injured a number of civilians according to Douma Revolution page on Facebook.

Russian forces were also reportedly involved.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Russian and Syrian warplanes hit Yarmouk camp (Douma Revolution, April 2018)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3415

Incident date

April 24, 2018

Location

شارع عطا الزين في مخيم اليرموك, Ata Al Zein street in Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.473938, 36.300631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians including a woman and her husband were reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria on April 24th, 2018 according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “six civilians, including three women were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on Ata al Zeir Street in al Yarmouk Camp south of Damascus city, on April 24th, 2018.”

The Network also reported that “Haifaa al Haj was killed along with her husband Mohammad Hadba as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on Ata al Zeir Street in al Yarmouk Camp south of Damascus city, causing a massacre, on April 24th, 2018.”

Syrian warplanes launched numerous raids on the camp amid additional artillery and rocket fire.One source estimated a total of 100 air strikes and 25 barrels of explosives.

Shaam News, who reported the deaths of seven civilians, said the bodies were found on Atta Zein Street in the camp.

Russian forces were also reportedly involved.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Haifaa al Haj
Adult female killed
Mohammad Hadba
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1–3 women)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1–3 women)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3416

Incident date

April 25, 2018

Location

الهبيط , كفرسجنة, كفرنبل ,أرينبة, Al Habit , Kafar Sijna , Arinba and Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.491145, 36.497505 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died as an aerial bombardment on villages across southern Idlib decimated schools and hospitals, local sources reported.

Al Habit was one of the hardest hit by sustained heavy artillery fire, killing a man and woman.

Two children were injured in Kafr Nabil, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as warplanes struck the village. Helicopters simultaneous dumped explosive barrels bombs on Kafr Sajna,  destroying a medical centre and the next door Tishreen school.

Mr. Khalid Al-Qassim, Director of the Khan Sheikhoon Educational Complex, told Step News that 500 students “were now without education as a result of the destruction of their schools.” The medical centre was evacuated following extensive damage to the building and equipment however no casualties were reported.

Sources on the ground reported the involvement of both Russian and Syrian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The moment the air force bombed the village of Kfar Idlib and destroyed a school (via Baladi News Network, April 2018)
  • Civil Defense teams worked to inspect the raids and rescue the injured (via Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • Civil Defense teams worked to inspect the raids and rescue the injured (via Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • Civil Defense teams worked to inspect the raids and rescue the injured (via Civil Defense, April 2018)

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3417

Incident date

April 29, 2018

Location

قرية الزعفرانة, Al Zafarana village, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.88979, 36.791667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A hospital guard was killed in Al Zafarana as Russian and Syrian forces reportedly launched raids on the Homs village.

Syrian helicopters hit the local hospital with barrel bombs, according to Smart News, injuring an additional four civilians. An activist loyal to the regime told the news agency that the hospital was targeted to remove it from service while “killing and wounding the people working in it”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Air bombing on the village of Al Zafarana north of Homs (Smart News, April 2018)
  • Warplanes raids on the village of Al Zafarana (Homs Media Center, April 2018)
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3418

Incident date

April 29, 2018

Location

قرية دير فول, Deir Fool village, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.923343, 36.841407 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed and three others injured in an attack on the village of Deir Fool, local sources reported.

Smart News reported the involvement of both Syrian and Russian forces in the strike. The news agency said the attack broke a truce negotiated for the northern Homs countryside.

Eight planes conducted at least 60 raids on the area, according to local sources, with barrel bombs falling on Deir Fool and other villages.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Air bombing on the village of Zafarana north of Homs (Smart News, April 2018)
  • Warplanes hit Deir Fool village (Syrian Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • Warplanes hit Deir Fool village (Syrian Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."
  • According to Euphrates Post, "warplanes and helicopters targeted the cities of Rastan, Talbisa, villages of Zafarana, Makramiya, Deir Fool and Majdal with more than 80 air strikes which targeted residential neighborhoods."

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3419

Incident date

April 29, 2018

Location

معرزيتا ومخيم للنازحين بلقرب منها, Marzita and an IDP camp nearby, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.555418, 36.573707 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were reported killed and seven others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike or Syrian regime shelling of the Al Walid IDP camp near the town of Marzita in southern Idlib countryside.

The rockets came at night, striking a two-room school and many of the inhabited tents, according to Shaam News.

Marzita itself was also hit causing the Kabir Mosque to collapse. Syrian Civil Defense teams said they pulled one woman from the rubble. They also said that “A male civilian was killed and seven injured when four warplanes targeted a military camp and displaced civilians near the town of Marzita in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), “suspected Russian warplanes fired missile on al Kabir Mosque in the middle of Ma’ar Zita village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, partially damaging its building, severely damaging its furniture, and rendering it inoperable, on April 29, 2018.”

In a separate post, SN4HR said “suspected Russian warplanes [had] fired missiles on al Walid Camp northwest of Ma’ar Zita village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, killing an IDP, and damaging the camp facilities severely”.

Shaam Network reported that vacuum missiles were used in the bombings.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • An aerial bombardment targets the village of Ma'arzita south of Idlib (Smart News, April 2018)
  • Air raids targeting the mosque of the village of Marzita in south Idlib (Qasioun News Agency, April 2018)
  • Victims and destruction in the bombing of the Russian occupation aircraft on the town of Marzita rural Idlib (Orient News, April 2018)
  • Warplanes hit camps for displaced people and civilian homes (Syrian Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • Warplanes hit camps for displaced people and civilian homes (Syrian Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • Warplanes hit camps for displaced people and civilian homes (Syrian Civil Defense, April 2018)
  • The effects of the destruction resulting from the bombing (Shaam News, April 2018)
  • The effects of the destruction resulting from the bombing (Shaam News, April 2018)
  • The effects of the destruction resulting from the bombing (Shaam News, April 2018)

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, Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3420

Incident date

April 29, 2018

Location

قرية الكشمة, Al Kashma village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.811111, 40.600833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four women were killed and others injured as Russian forces struck the headquarters of the Islamic State in Al Kashma village, according to local sources.

Smart News said a French citizen named Maria was among the dead, the wife of one of ISIS Moroccan legal experts currently detained by IS after he split away.

The building reportedly housed women widowed or divorced from members of ISIS east of the city of Kair al-Zour eastern Syria.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maria
Age unknown female The wife of one of an Islamic State leader

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (2) [ 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
    1 – 4
  • (1–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3421

Incident date

May 2, 2018

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed and ‘multiple’ others were injured in airstrikes allegedly conducted by Russian forces on the town of Kafr Zita in Hama Governorate on May 2nd 2018.

Multiple sources reported that a hospital in the centre of the town had been hit and destroyed, and that one staff member had been killed in the strikes. Jisr News implied that the airstrikes appeared to have been coordinated with shelling by the Syrian regime’s forces on other parts of the town.

Baladi News identified the victim as Fatima Hamsho Umm Ala, who was ‘the sole breadwinner of her large family. […] She worked in an agricultural workshop to support her family in their exodus. Later, she volunteered to work in a specialized hospital in Kafr Zita, In support of her family’.

The hospital provided ‘secondary health care services’ and nurseries for newborn babies, Step News reported.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Hamsho
Adult female Mother of Ala (Umm Ala) killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The hospital in Kafr Zeita was completely destroyed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the morning of May 2 2018. (via @HadiAlabdallah)
  • Fatima Hamsho (Umm Ala) is seen here pictured with her child. She was a staff member at the hospital in Kifr Zita that was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the hospital on May 2 2018. (via Baladi News)
  • Footage of an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, May 2nd

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (13) [ collapse]