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

RS3782

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

كفرلاتا, Kafar Lata, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A man was reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Kafar Lata, Idlib governorate, on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib reported that “a man was wounded in the village of Kafar Lata, as a result of an airstrike targeting the outskirts of the village”, but did not specify the responsible belligerent.

Shaam News Network reported that “Russian aircraft launched airstrikes in the middle of artillery and missile attacks on towns”, including Kafar Lata, which “resulted in civilian casualties.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3778

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Zakat on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources.

@HalabTodayTV’s correspondent reported: “Russian airstrikes target the cities of Kafr Zita and Murak and the villages of Zakat and Arba’in in the northern Hama countryside.”

Smart News Agency claimed that “a man was injured as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes on the village of Al Zakat.” @shabablatamni also reported a wounded person.

All sources pointed to Russia as the belligerent responsible for the airstrikes.

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
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Watch Russian raids rock the Zakat village north of Hama” (via Trendat).

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
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3777

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Smart News Agency reported that one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 9th, 2019. Another source reported that a civilian was injured. Other sources blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes.

Smart News Agency reported that “the Russian air force launched several airstrikes targeting Khan Sheikhoun,” as well as on a number of other locations, on June 9th. According to the source, this resulted in the death of one civilian in Khan Sheikhoun.

According to @MasarPressNet, “a civilian was injured as a result of airstrikes by Assad’s forces on the city of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside.”

@NagiNajjar reported that “the Russian occupation air forces targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, south of Idlib, with several airstrikes”, but did not report any civilian harm. @HalabTodayTV tweeted that the city had been targeted with four raids by Russian warplanes.

Syrian Civil Defence reported that its volunteer Bilal Al Salloum broke his leg while aiming to put out a fire in the aftermath of the strikes.

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

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
  • 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]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The Russian occupation air forces target residential neighborhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, south of Idlib, with several air strikes” (via @NagiNajjar).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on June 9th, 2019 (via @NagiNajjar).
  • Translation: “Renewed successive bombardment by Al- Assad warplanes targeting the city of Khan Sheikhoun and now, a squadron of helicopters loaded with barrel bombs took off from Hama airport at 3-21 ... by striking the female fighters who are in the air now. 2019/6/9” (via @Mnar18049738).
  • Translation: “Volunteer Bilal Al Salloum broke his leg while he and his team put out a fire that broke out in the city of Khan Sheikhoun as a result of an air strike from the warplanes” (via Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer Bilal Al Salloum broke his leg when putting out a fire in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun on June 9th, 2019 (via Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib).

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3779

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the city of Kafar Zeita on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources.

Based on local activists, Smart News Agency reported that “two people were killed and four others were injured, as the warplanes of the regime and Russia raided residential neighbourhoods in the city of Kafar Zeita.”

@almo3tasem91 and @syrian191124 also reported two killed civilians and four wounded, also blaming both Russia and the Syrian regime.

@MahmodHamway wrote that “the Russian battalion in the town of Ma’ardis bombed the city of Kafar Zita and “Tal Fas” in the northern Hama countryside with missiles.” @MasarPressNet, however, stated that helicopters targeted the city with barrel bombs. Mahmoud Al Hamwi posted a video on Youtube of the aftermath of the strikes, blaming the Syrian regime.

Shaam News Network wrote that “Russian warplanes and Assad’s helicopters launched dozens of air-raids, with rockets and explosive barrels” on a number of cities, towns and villages on June 9th.

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Air strikes launched by the regime's warplanes on the city of Kafr Zaita in Hama countryside 9/6/2019” (via Mahmoud Al Hamwi).
  • Translation: “Two martyrs and four wounded, as a result of the regime and Russian air strikes on the city of Kafar Zeita in the northern Hama countryside” (via @almo3tasem91).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers at the target site in Kafar Zeita after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 9th, 2019 (via @almo3tasem91).

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3783

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

عدة بلدات في ريف إدلب, Several towns in Idlib countryside, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam News reported a number of attacks by Russian forces on several towns and villages in Idlib on June 9th.

According to this source, “Russian aircraft launched airstrikes amidst artillery and missile attacks on the towns and villages of Khan Sheikhoun, Tal Ass, Al Mastouma, Arenaba, Al Qasabiyah, Bazabur, Kferlata, Kafar Lata, Jabal Al-Arbaeen, Ahsem, Tarmala, Al Habeet, Rakaya, Abdeen, Kefar Sijna and Heesh, resulting in civilian casualties.”

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3784

Incident date

June 9–10, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Three to four civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib on June 10th. Though some sources said the airstrike happened at the dawn, others said in the evening.

Three of the victims are named as Mustafa Sayyadi, Ibrahim Sayyadi and Khaled Marati. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights named the three mentioning Khaled Sayyadi instead of Ibrahim Sayyadi. It is unclear whether there is a mistake with the names or whether there are four civilian victim.

While a number of sources report the death of three civilians,the Syrian Observatory documented the death of three, including a fighter of Jaysh al-Izza.

Furthermore, Step News alleged that over ten civilians were injured in the incident, while Syria Civil Defense stated that three were wounded. @_Hasan_Mukhtar tweeted raising the injury toll to 15.

Six sources name Russia as the belligerent responsible for the attack, while two other sources refer to both the Syrian regime and Russia in reporting the airstrike. Meanwhile, two sources do not positively attribute blame.

Shaam News wrote that “Russian warplanes targeted the city of Khan Sheikhan in the southern countryside of Idlib, which killed three young martyrs and wounded several civilians.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–15
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 9th (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 9th (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • The aftermath of the airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 9th (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on June 9th (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Residential areas in Khan Sheikhoun were the target of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2019. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • One of the three civilians reported killed in Khan Sheikoun by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2019. (via Faisal Al Najem).
  • One of the three civilians reported killed in Khan Sheikoun by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2019. (via Faisal Al Najem).
  • One of the three civilians reported killed in Khan Sheikoun by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2019. (via Faisal Al Najem).
  • The three civilians reported killed in Khan Sheikoun by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on June 10th, 2019. (via SNHR).

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
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–15
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3780

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Latamina, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a woman and a child were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Latamina in the northern Hama countryside on June 9th, 2019.

According to a @HalabTodayTV correspondent, “a woman and her child were wounded as a result of an airstrike by the regime’s air force on the city of Al Latamina in the northern Hama countryside.” @MasarPressNet also reported that a woman and her child had been injured.

Smart News Agency, however, reported that the victims were a woman and her granddaughter, adding that the victims were taken to a hospital for treatment.

@aeinnews wrote that “the Syrian regime’s warplanes launch intense raids on the city of Al Lataminah in the northern countryside of Hama, central Syria, this evening.”

@NagiNajjar tweeted: “58 airstrikes by the regime and the Russians with missiles, barrel bombs and cluster bombs on the areas of the northern Hama countryside”, including Latamina.

@syrian191124 reported that “Russian warplanes target the towns of Kafar Zeita and Al Latamina in the northern Hama countryside.”

While many sources pointed to the Syrian regime as the responsible belligerent, @syrian191124 blamed Russian airstrikes and @NagiNajjar, Smart News Agency and Shaam News Network reported both the Syrian regime and Russian forces as responsible.

The incident occured in the evening.

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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Al Lataminah, the northern countryside of Hama, a little while ago” (via @syrian191124).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Latamina, Hama governorate, on June 9th, 2019 (via @syrian191124).
  • Translation: “Photo: The Syrian regime's warplanes launch intense raids on the city of Al Lataminah in the northern countryside of Hama, central Syria, this evening” (via @aeinnews).
  • Photo of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Latamina, Hama governorate, on June 9th, 2019 (via @aeinnews).

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
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3781

Incident date

June 9, 2019

Location

بزابور, Bazabour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Six civilians, including four women and a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the village of Bazabour, Idlib governorate, on June 9th, 2019, according to local sources.

@ShahbaPress reported that “six civilians, including a girl and four women, were wounded as a result of the Assad forces’ bombing of cluster missiles on the village of Bazabour in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib also reported: “Six civilians, including a child and four women, were wounded in the village of Bazabur, as a result of the bombing of two rockets loaded with cluster bombs targeting the outskirts of the village.”

According to Haseeb Deeb on Facebook, the sounds of the explosions were heard throughout the city of Idlib.

Nearly all sources pointed to the Syrian regime as the responsible belligerent, but Shaam News Network blamed Russia, writing that “Russian aircraft launched airstrikes in the middle of artillery and missile attacks” on several towns, including Bazabour.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “The sounds of explosions, which were heard throughout the city of Idlib and its countryside a short while ago, resulting from the bombing of the village of Bzabour, in Jabal Al Arbaeen, 9/6/2019” (via Haseeb Deeb).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes of the village of Bzabour, in Jabal Al Arbaeen, 9/6/2019” (via Haseeb Deeb).

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]