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

RS3753

Incident date

June 2, 2019

Location

الأربعين, Al Arba’een, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Al Arba’een, Hama, on June 2nd.

The victim was identified as Youssef Khaled Al-Ali Al-Mubarak. 

While Smart News claimed that “two civilians were wounded in by a missile attack”, Shaam news and @so_ria98 reported one fatality in the airstrike.

Shaam News made reference to the “Russian Air Force and the Assad Air Force” in discussion of the airstrikes, while two other sources did not positively attribute blame.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Youssef Khaled Al-Ali Al-Mubarak was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime attacks on Al-A'rb'een village in Hama on June 2nd, 2019. (via Khaled Abo Razouk Al Zaher )
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Youssef Khaled Al-Ali Al-Mubarak was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime attacks on Al-A'rb'een village in Hama on June 2nd, 2019. (via Ali Al Thalji).
  • Youssef Khaled Al-Ali Al-Mubarak was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime attacks on Al-A'rb'een village in Hama on June 2nd, 2019. (via Ali Al Thalji).

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3754

Incident date

June 3, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians were reported killed when an airstrike struck the popular market in the city of Ma’arat Al Nu’man south of Idlib in the morning of June 3rd, 2019. Local sources reported that the market was struck with at least three missiles, also described as “rocket-propelled grenades”, although Smart News Agency claimed the use of a total of four missiles. According to Shaam News, the raid was carried out by the Russian Air Force and Syrian regime helicopters.

Most sources reported that among the three killed civilians was one woman. According to Smart News, the other victims were a woman and a man. The source added that 20 civilians were wounded.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll higher and claimed that a total of four civilians were killed, including a woman.

In a report in October 2020, Human Rights Watch wrote that “On June 3, 2019, the last day of Ramadan, at about 11 a.m., an aircraft released four munitions, one at a time, onto an extension of the town’s main market. The market was particularly full that day because of people shopping for Eid.”

HRW spoke to Obeida Zikra, the Syrian Civil Defence team leader in Ma’arat Al Nu’man, who stated that “two munitions hit the roof of the market and two others struck inside the market. Zikra said that when he arrived at the scene, he saw a fire burning in one of the shop stalls and many wounded people on the ground.”

HRW analysed several photos and videos of the scene: “The videos and photographs show damage to at least 15 market stalls and shop fronts, debris on the street, damage to motorbikes, a man who seems to have had his right leg severed by the attack being carried on a stretcher to an ambulance, a severely injured or deceased man, and two injured men in the back of an ambulance.”

The SCD team leader told HRW that he was unaware of any military objectives in the vicinity of the site before or at the time of the attack, “nor were there signs of military weapons, equipment, or personnel in the imagery reviewed”.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (42) [ collapse]

  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Step News).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Step News).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Step News).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike that struck the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via @MGhorab3).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Aftermath of an airstrike that struck the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via @IdlibPlus).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Video of the first moments after an airstrike struck the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Video of the aftermath of an airstrike that struck the market in Ma’aret al Numan city in Idlib after it was struck by an airstrike on June 3rd (via Edlib Media Center).
  • "When a child tries to escape death."
  • A child fleeing airstrikes on Ma'aret Al Nu'man on June 3rd, 2019. (via @LamiaSarhan1).
  • Destruction at a Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market after it was targeted with an airstrikes on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Destruction at a Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market after it was targeted with an airstrikes on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Destruction at a Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market after it was targeted with an airstrikes on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Destruction at a Ma'arat Al Nu'man popular market after it was targeted with an airstrikes on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Sy24ria).
  • Aftermath of a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Darin_ALabdalla)
  • Aftermath of a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Darin_ALabdalla)
  • Aftermath of a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Ma'arat Al Nu'man on June 3rd, 2019. (via @Darin_ALabdalla)
  • Damage to shops and properties at a popular market in Ma'arat Al-Nu'mann after it was attacked allegedly by Russia or the regime on June 3rd, 2019. (Enad Baladi from MMC)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the main market in Ma'arat Al Nu'man on June 3rd, 2019 (via Human Rights Watch).

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
    3 – 4
  • (1–2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3755

Incident date

June 3, 2019

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Multiple sources reported that one civilian was killed in Heesh, Idlib, on June 3rd.

Three sources named the victim of the airstrikes as Abdel Qadir al-Salloum.

Syrian Network for Human Rights and other sources claimed that “missiles were fired near Martyr Fajr al Ismail School”, with this source also reporting that the airstrikes “destroyed the school’s building and fence, and damaged its furniture.”

The majority of sources stated that the Syrian regime was responsible for the attack, while Shaam News named Russia as an active belligerent in the airstrikes alongside the Syrian Regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption: "Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles near Martyr Fajr al Ismail School in Heesh village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, killing Abdul Qader al Salloum, destroying the school’s building and fence and damaging its furniture, on June 3rd." (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Heesh in Idlib on June 3rd, 2019. (via @ahmd_alyosef)

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 infrastructure
    School
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3756

Incident date

June 3, 2019

Location

العنكاوي, Al Ankawi, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man was reported killed when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly struck Al-Ankawi village in Sahl al-Ghab northwest of Ham with heavy artillery and rocket shelling.

According to Shaam News, “the rebels targeted the positions of the Assad forces at Hama military airport with Grad missiles in response to the shelling of civilians in the villages of Idlib and Hama”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the victim as Khalifa al Salima, however they said he was killed as a result of shelling in Al-Qahera village in Sahl Al-Ghab on the same day. Airwars research didn’t find any reported deaths in Al-Qahera village on that day, so possibly Khalida al Salima was killed in Al-Ankawi village.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ 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
    Artillery
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3761

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

معرة الصين, Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted that “one person was killed and others were wounded, as the regime’s warplanes targeted the village of Ma’arat Al Sin in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

@MasarPressNet reported “two martyrs and several wounded in the village of Ma’arat Al Sin in the southern countryside, as a result of cluster missile strikes.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Shaam News Network also reported two killed civilians.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and @HalabTodayTV attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while Shaam News referred to both Russian forces and the Syrian regime in discussion of a number of incidents. Others did not identify the responsible belligerent.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ 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 – 2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3760

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

الفقيع, Al Faqi', Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed and an unknown number of others was injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Faqi’, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources.

@MasarPressNet tweeted: “A civilian was martyred in air strikes by Assad’s forces on the town of Al Faqi’ in the southern countryside.” @ShahbaPress wrote that there had been “a martyr and civilians were wounded as a result of airstrikes on the town of Al Faqi’ in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Several organisations, including Justice organization, reported that the killed victim was named Tarrad Al Rizq. However, @EdlibNN wrote that the 51-year-old man died in airstrikes on Al Naqir on that same day.

While several sources, such as the Network for Human Rights, blamed the Syrian regime, Justice Organization blamed both Russian warplanes and regime helicopters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

51 years old male possibly killed in Al Naqir killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (5) [ 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 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3763

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Fatira, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to a local source. An unknown number of civilians was reported injured.

Step News Agency reported the death of one woman in airstrikes on Al Fatira, Idlib, June 4th. Step also claimed that “several civilians were injured” in the attack. Noting that the attack was carried on on the first day of Eid, the source reported that “a woman was killed, and several civilians were injured, in the village of Al Fatira, south of Idlib.”

However, none of the other sources reported civilian casualties. Hence, the civilian harm status of this incident is graded as weak.

@NagiNajjar reported “attacks by Sukhoi warplanes with vacuum missiles targeting the towns of Al Fatira and Karsaah in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Step News Agency quoted a reporter in Idlib who stated that: “Russian and Syrian warplanes have stepped up their rocket attacks with cluster bombs, long-range missiles and surface-to-surface missiles since dawn on Tuesday, targeting southern towns and villages of the province.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3759

Incident date

June 4, 2019

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Naqir on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network reported one civilian death as the result of Russian and Syrian airstrikes on Al Naqir.@EdlibNN identified the victim as 51-year-old Trad Rizk Al Jumah, but other sources reported the man was killed in Al Faqi’ on that same day.

@shabablatamni tweeted: “Phosphorescent missile strikes from the Russian Camp Braideig target the villages of Al Naqir and Tarmala in the southern countryside of Idlib.” None of the other sources reported the use of phosphorescent.

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

51 years old male other sources report he was killed in Al Faqi' killed

Summary

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

Sources (7) [ 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
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]