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

RS3796

Incident date

June 13–14, 2019

Location

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in artillery shelling on Mourek, Hama, in the night between June 13th and 14th.

Shaam News stated that “Russian and Assad  warplanes launched dozens of air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and missile attacks on [a number of] towns and villages”, and cited the death of one civilian in Mourek

Meanwhile, Step News Agency did not positively attribute blame for the shelling, and two other sources named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible for the attack.

No other information is known at this time.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man killed in artillery shelling on Mourek, Hama, June 13th (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Walid Hussein Naddaf was killed by alleged artillery shells fired by the Syrian regime between June 13th and 14th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Walid Hussein Al-Naddaf was killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Morek on June 13th, 2019. (via Ibrahim abdul kader alnadaf).
  • Walid Hussein Al-Naddaf was killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Morek on June 13th, 2019. (via Ibrahim abdul kader alnadaf).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Walid Hussein Al-Naddaf was killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Morek on June 13th, 2019. (via Ibrahim abdul kader alnadaf).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Walid Hussein Al-Naddaf was killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Morek on June 13th, 2019. (via Ibrahim abdul kader alnadaf).

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 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3793

Incident date

June 13, 2019

Location

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians, including a woman, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the village of Mouqa, Idlib countryside, on June 13th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other civilian was injured.

@HadiAlabdallah tweeted: “Four civilians, including a woman, were killed as a result of the missile strikes that targeted the village of Mouqa in the southern countryside of Idlib with dozens of shells. This comes after the Russians announced a truce last night.”

Several sources, including the Syrian Human Rights Committee, named the fatalities as Abdul Rahman Shaaban Al AtrashSamer Abdel-Alaal, Mashhour Al Hamoud, and Aziza Al Ahmad, a displaced woman from Souran. Sulaiman Al Sourani was reportedly injured in the strike.

Kafar Nabel Live wrote on Facebook that “four cluster rockets launched by the regime forces targeted residential neighbourhoods in the village of Mouqa, leaving 4 dead and one wounded.” According to Justice Organisation, “a number” of civilians was injured.

Shaam News stated that “despite Russia’s announcement of a 72-hour truce, Russian and ِAssad warplanes continued to launch dozens of airstrikes, accompanied by heavy artillery and rocket fire on [a number of] cities and towns.”

Step News also reported the onslaught of attacks, yet did not positively attribute blame, referring to “the warplanes intensive raids” on various locations, referring to “many civilians injured”,  as well as four fatalities in Mouqa.

Four sources documented the use of cluster munitions in the airstrike.

Most sources named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible for the attack, but others, such as Shaam News Network, named both Russia and Syria in reporting the incident.

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
    4
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: "Remnants of a cluster munition fired by Syrian regime on Mouqa village in Idlib" (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Translation: “Despite the ceasefire the regime forces committed a massacre in the village of Mouqa in the southern countryside of Idlib” (via @blaas083).

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
    4
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3794

Incident date

June 13, 2019

Location

جوزف, Jouzef , Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019, according to local sources. At least one other man was injured.

@shabablatamni tweeted: “A child was killed and others were wounded, as the regime’s warplanes bombed the village of Jouzef, in the southern Idlib countryside.”

Syrian Network for Human Rights, among other sources, reported that the child Mamoun Yousef Al Zain was killed in alleged airstrikes on Jouzef. Jouzef Today reported that the man Khaled Mohammed Deeb Al Mahmoud was injured. Smart News Agency also reported wounded but did not specify a number.

According to Shaam News, “despite Russia’s announcement of a 72-hour truce, Russian and ِAssad warplanes continued to launch dozens of airstrikes, accompanied by heavy artillery and rocket fire on [a number of] cities and towns”, and cites, among other casualties and locations, the death of a child in Jouzef.

Most sources, such as Smart News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that the Syrian regime had been responsible for the strikes. Others, such as Jouzef, did not attribute blame to a specific belligerent. Only Shaam News Network blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mamoun Yousef al Zain, killed in airstrikes on Jozef, Idlib, on June 13th (via Syrian Network for Human rights)
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019 (via Jouzef Today).
  • Damaged vehicle after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019 (via Jouzef Today).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019 (via Jouzef Today).
  • Damaged motorcycle after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019 (via Jouzef Today).
  • Presumably blood on a brick after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jouzef, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019 (via Jouzef Today).

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 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3795

Incident date

June 13, 2019

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al Sabil, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a child was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Al Sabil, Idlib, on June 13th, 2019.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted that according to the Civil Defence, “a civilian was killed and another was wounded, as a result of targeting the outskirts of the town of Khan Al Sabil in Idlib countryside with six missiles from the regime forces’ warplanes.”

@IdlibPlus wrote that “a missile strike targeted the town of Khan Al Sabil in Idlib countryside, resulting into a martyr and a number of wounded civilians.” In another post, @IdlibPlus mentioned the use of vacuum missiles.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee identified the child as Imran Dabbas.

Furthermore, the Local Coordination Committees for Syria referred to “several wounded” in the incident, Shahba Press named “wounded civilians.” The Syrian Civil Defence reported one wounded in the attack.

According to Shaam News Network, “despite Russia’s announcement of a 72-hour truce, Russian and ِAssad warplanes continued to launch dozens of airstrikes, accompanied by heavy artillery and rocket fire on [a number of] cities and towns”, and cites, among other casualties and locations, “a martyr in Khan Al Sabil.”

Most sources attributed the airstrike to the Syrian regime, while others did not positively attribute blame. Meanwhile, Ariha Today named Russia as the belligerent responsible for the attack, and Shaam News Network referred to both the Syrian regime and Russia in reporting the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A civilian and one other were injured as a result of the targeting of six missiles by the regime's military aircraft" (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A civilian and one other were injured as a result of the targeting of six missiles by the regime's military aircraft" (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: "A civilian and one other were injured as a result of the targeting of six missiles by the regime's military aircraft" (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A civilian and one other were injured as a result of the targeting of six missiles by the regime's military aircraft" (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Caption translation: "A martyr was killed and a man wounded in an air raid on the town of Khan Al Subul south of Idlib" (via Edlib Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A martyr was killed and a man wounded in an air raid on the town of Khan Al Subul south of Idlib" (via Edlib Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A martyr was killed and a man wounded in an air raid on the town of Khan Al Subul south of Idlib" (via Edlib Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A martyr was killed and a man wounded in an air raid on the town of Khan Al Subul south of Idlib" (via Edlib Media Center)

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
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3799

Incident date

June 14, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Al Latamina, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were wounded when Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out airstrikes that struck a patch of agricultural land near the town of Al Latamina, north of Hama, on June 14th, 2019, according to local sources.

@BassamJaara tweeted: “Several airstrikes by Russian warplanes targeted the cities of Kafr Zita and Al Latamina in the northern Hama countryside.” Smart News Agency wrote that two civilians were wounded in airstrikes on agricultural land near the town of Al Latamina.

@syrianmosaic reported that “civilians were wounded as warplanes targeted a harvester on the agricultural lands around the city of Al Latamina in the northern Hama countryside.”

While some sources, including @Step_Agency, blamed Russia for the airstrikes, MEO blamed “Russia and other regime warplanes”.

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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ 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
  • 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

RS3800

Incident date

June 14, 2019

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A local source reported that civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Zeita on June 14th, 2019. Other sources did not report civilian harm but did report alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on the city on that same day.

Step News wrote that “Russian and Syrian regime aircraft, with more than 15 airstrikes, targeted the cities of Al Latamina, Kafar Zeita, and the outskirts of Al Zakat, north of Hama, and wounded civilians, while the regime forces bombed heavy artillery from the Russian camp south of Halfaya, targeting the city of Kafar Zeita in the northern Hama countryside.” The source does not specify if and how many civilians were injured in Kafar Zeita specifically.

Other sources did report the strikes but did not mention civilian casualties. MEO specifically wrote that there were no civilian casualties in the airstrikes on several cities on June 14th, including the city of Kafar Zeita.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), “fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles near the medical point in Kafr Zita city in Hama governorate northern suburbs, partially damaging its building and equipment”. In a later post, the source added that Russian forces also fired a missile near Al Reefiya School.

@shabablatamni reported that the city was targeted with rocket shelling from Russian bases in the town of Maardis. @HalabTodayTV also reported artillery shelling but blamed the Syrian regime.

Other sources reported that the city was targeted with airstrikes. @Step_Agency, for example, tweeted: “Russian warplanes launched several airstrikes targeting the cities of Al-Lataminah and Kafr Zita in the northern Hama countryside.

@MahmodHamway posted a video of the bombing, writing that “more than ten airstrikes launched by the Russian aggression today on the perimeter of a mosque in the city of Kafar Zeita.” The source added that “this mosque is rubble, but this minaret is standing tall and steadfast.”

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “More than ten air strikes launched by Russian aggression today on the perimeter of a mosque in the city of Kafr Zita, Hama, as this mosque is rubble and rubble, but this minaret is standing tall and steadfast, God willing, defying all forms of occupation and aggression” (via @MahmodHamway).

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3801

Incident date

June 14, 2019

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that an unknown number of civilians were wounded when Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out airstrikes on the town of Al Zakat, Hama governorate, on June 14th, 2019.

Step News wrote that “Russian and Syrian regime aircraft, with more than 15 airstrikes, targeted the cities of Al Latamina, Kafr Zita, and the outskirts of Zakat, north of Hama, and wounded civilians, while the regime forces bombed heavy artillery from the Russian camp south of Halfaya, targeting the city of Kafar Zeita in the northern Hama countryside.”

Currently, further details are 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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3802

Incident date

June 14, 2019

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’arat Harma, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians was wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes and shelling Ma’arat Harma on June 14th, 2019, according to a single source.

Step News Agency reported that civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’arat Harma,  but did not specify a belligerent. Other sources did not report civilian harm but reported air and artillery strikes.

@IdlibPlus tweeted: “Warplanes target the outskirts of the town of Maarat Harmah in the southern countryside of Idlib, with missiles.”

@nabdalthwra reported that “SU-24 Assad warplanes targeted with missiles the town of Ma’arat Harma in the southern countryside of Idlib.” @MMCSYR2 reported that SU-22 warplanes carried out the strikes, and did not specify the belligerent. @syrian191124 reported the use of vacuum bombs.

While some others blamed the Syrian regime, others did not positively attribute blame for the airstrikes. Shaam News Network pointed to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]