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

RS3326

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Location

حارم, Harem, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.212564, 36.519736 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 34 and 43 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on a popular market area in the city of Harem, Idlib, on Thursday afternoon. The estimated number of injured civilians goes from “dozens” to 70 people.

Initial reports estimated the death toll at around 20 civilians, but the Syrian Civil Defence stated that they were still pulling bodies from underneath the rubble. The final count of the Syrian Civil Defence put the death toll at 43. The Violations Documentation in Syria (VDC) has listed 34 victims, of which 30 were identified. According to Baladi News, several charred bodies were found in the centre of the targeted market.

Reporter Zaman Al Wasl reported that Russian aircraft carried out several raids with highly explosive materials. Other sources stated the market was raided twice.

Zaman Al Wasl wrote that a four-storey apartment building near the market was destroyed. Several other sources reported that a school was also hit in the strike, resulting in the death of many children.

An eyewitness told Enab Baladi that the shelling came without hearing any sound of aircraft in the air. He explained that the raids coincided with the busiest time of the day at the market, and that many residential buildings and shops were destroyed.

@OrientNews reported that a mosque was also targeted by raids, and reported the use of high explosive rockets. Arabi21 reported that “Russian aircraft launched from the airport Hmeimim in Latakia and carried out an attack on the city of Harem.”

Several sources, such as Qasioun, reported that the incident occured in the evening, while Halab Today TV reported the incident occured in the afternoon.

A source in the Syrian Civil Defence told New Arab that “the extent of the destruction caused by the bombing is very large, which prevented the arrival of ambulances to the targeted place”. According to Baladi News, the “Syrian Civil Defence teams brought in teams from other areas because the city teams were unable to recover the victims and the injured due to the high number of casualties, while hospitals and medical centres were full of wounded and injured. Many of them were taken to Bab Al-Hawa Hospital and another section was admitted to Turkey.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

45 years old male killed
20 years old male killed

Family members (3)

3 years old male killed
5 years old female killed

Family members (2)

4 years old female killed
3 years old female killed

Family members (4)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

55 years old female killed
45 years old male killed
14 years old female killed
45 years old male killed
3 years old female killed
35 years old female killed
17 years old female killed
0 years old female killed
20 years old male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    34 – 43
  • (10–17 children2–8 women24 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–70
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (38) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes, 22 March 2018. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes 22 March 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes 22 March 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes 22 March 2018. (via Edlib Media Centre)
  • The Syrian Civil Defence trying to find people buried under the rubble after the airstrike, 22 March 2018.
  • The Syrian Civil Defence trying to find people buried under the rubble after the airstrike, 22 March 2018.
  • The Syrian Civil Defence trying to find people buried under the rubble after the airstrike, 22 March 2018.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead children in the aftermath of airstrikes, 22 March 2018 (via @Wesal_TV).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead child after the airstrike, 22 March 2018 (via @s5BExioG89qQJOr).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead child after the airstrike, 22 March 2018 (via @s5BExioG89qQJOr).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead child after the airstrike, 22 March 2018 (via @s5BExioG89qQJOr).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dead child after the airstrike, 22 March 2018 (via @s5BExioG89qQJOr).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes, 22 March 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes, 22 March 2018 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Two children who were pulled from under the rubble, 22 March 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Edlib Media Centre).
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Edlib Media Centre).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Edlib Media Centre).
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Edlib Media Centre).
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Qasioum News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies collected on the streets after the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Arabi21 News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018, receiving medical help (via Eldorar).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018, receiving medical help (via Eldorar).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Eldorar)
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Zaman Al Wasl news).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Zaman Al Wasl news).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Nedaa News).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd, 2018, receiving medical care (via Halab Today TV).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers pulling bodies from underneath the rubble after airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Halab Today TV).
  • Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Baladi News).
  • Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via Thiqa Agency).
  • One of the victims who was killed in the airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018. His name is Mustafa, but it is unclear what his last name was (via Facebook).
  • Footage of the aftermath of airstrikes on Harem, March 22nd 2018 (via SY Plus).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    34 – 43
  • (10–17 children2–8 women24 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–70
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3372

Incident date

March 31, 2018

Location

التوينة, Al-Tuwayna, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.420374, 36.360755 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, the Shaam News network, “Russian warplanes carried out heavy air raids accompanied by heavy shelling and shelling on the towns and villages” including Al-Tuwayna. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians.

@JENdKRNgtkxLE7i reported that “Russian warplanes targeted a number of bridges in Sahel Al-Ghab. They targeted Al Jisr Al Jadeed, Sharia and Al-Twaina with rockets, in conjunction with fake raids with thermal balloons to terrify the people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3451

Incident date

June 24, 2018

Location

الصورة, Al Soura, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman and a disabled young man from the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Soura, Dara’a governorate, on June 24th 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two civilians from the same family, one of them a woman, were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired missiles on Al Soura town in the eastern suburbs of Dara’a governorate on June 24, 2018.”

Amer Aba Zaid, director of the media centre of the Syrian Civil Defence in Dara’a told Smart News Agency that “a woman and a young man (with special needs) were killed and others were wounded as a result of the raids on the town of Al Soura, 21 kilometres northeast of Dara’a.”

Several sources, such as the Violations Documentation Center in Syria, identified the victims as the woman Khaloud Al Hariri and the young disabled man Murad Suleiman Al Hariri. The Syrian Human Rights Committee wrote that Murad Suleiman Al Hariri was killed in airstrikes on the city of Al Harak on June 24th, but all other sources reported the man died in Al Soura.

Pro-regime website Dara’a Now wrote that the Syrian regime forces used high precision weapons to attack “terrorist strongholds of Al Nusra in the town of Al Soura” on June 24th, 2018.

The eastern countryside of Dara’a was heavily targeted on June 24th, 2018, with reports of strikes on Al Soura, Eastern Maliha, Al Harak, Alma, Nahhath and Basr Al Harir, according to Aswat News, who blamed Russia for the airstrikes.

Whereas some sources pointed to Russia as the belligerent for the airstrikes on Al Soura, others blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male disabled young man, other sources state he died in Al Harak killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Explosions after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Harak or Al Soura on June 24th, 2018 (via Dara'a Now).
  • Explosions after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Harak or Al Soura on June 24th, 2018 (via Dara'a Now).

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
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3550

Incident date

September 8, 2018

Location

كفرسجنة, kfarsijna, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that attacks with barrel bombs on Kfarsijna in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 led to injuries among civilians.

HalabTodayTV reported saying “Wounded civilians as a result of bombing the village of Hass and the surrounding town of Kafr Sjana rural Idlib South with explosive barrels.”

@IdlibPlus blamed the Syrian regime and tweeted “Helicopters target the outskirts of the town of Kfar Sijnah in the southern countryside of Idlib, with barrel bombs.”

While Shaam Network referred to possible involvement of the Russian forces “The Russian warplanes and the Syrian Air Force continue to bombardments in a new campaign of escalation, recording dozens of air strikes accompanied by heavy artillery and rocket fire. The indiscriminate shelling led to a martyr in the village of Al-Halba and the death of a woman and  her embryo in the village of Al-Sarj, and a number of wounded in cities and towns of Khan Sheikhoun, Kefar Sijna, ….”

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
  • 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 (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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3491

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

تل شهاب, Tal Shihab, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.686231, 35.980525 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two male civilians were killed in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on the town of Tal Shihab on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources.

@asfyhbjinnkhvgz reported the deaths of Ayman Ahmed Al Amyan and journalist Ali Al Rifai Abu Hussein in Tal Shihab. Hamza Al Shaheed wrote on Facebook that Al Rifai had been killed in Russian shelling on the town. It is unclear whether Al Rifai was working at the time of the shelling.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2745

Incident date

November 20, 2017

Location

السوسة السوسة, al Soussa, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.528889, 40.9675 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Step News Agency reported that “many civilians were wounded to varying degrees” by alleged Russian strikes on al Soussa.

According to Euphrates Post on November 20th, there was “Intense displacement of people in the towns of al-Baghouz, al-Safafna, al-Marashda and al-Soussa in the Albukamal countryside due to the continuous aerial and artillery shelling around the clock.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3980

Incident date

July 30, 2019

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that Russian forces shelled the town of Jbala in Idlib governorate on July 30th, 2019, wounding an unknown number of civilians.

@MasarPressNet tweeted that “civilians were wounded as a result of Russian warplanes bombing on the outskirts of the town of Jabala in the southern countryside.”

Edlib Media Centre and @Stepp_Agency also reported Russian strikes on Jbala, leading to an unknown number of injured civilians.

@IdlibPlus reported that “Russian warplanes target the towns of Jabala and Al-Amiriya in the southern countryside of Idlib with missiles.”

All sources blamed Russia for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4038

Incident date

August 16, 2019

Location

حيش, Hiysh, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was killed and a woman and “others” were reported injured in airstrikes on Hiysh, Idlib, on August 16th.

Syrian Network for Human Rights names Mrs. Eman Shahhoud al Azraq, from Khan Sheikhoun city, as the victim killed in airstrikes by the Syrian regime on Hiysh.

Smart News reported, “Russian warplanes shelling with vacuum missiles in Hiysh town south of Idlib.” A tweet by @baladinetwork also identified Russia as bombing Hiysh “with high-explosive missiles” and included an image that shows a cloud of dust in the sky. A video posted by @syria7ra shows the bomb being dropped and the explosion and the sound of impact and planes flying can be heard.

Meanwhile, Step Agency stated that “a woman and others were injured” in the incident, naming both Russian forces and the Syrian regime in reports of the attack on Hiysh, among others.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female Ayman Affan's wife killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from 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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]