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

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]

Incident Code

RS3803

Incident date

June 14, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns and villages, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians were injured when Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out air raids and shelled a number of cities, towns and villages, including Khan Sheikhun, Ma’arah al-Nu’man, Kafr Nabal, Habayt, Tirmala, Kafromah, Baarba, Arinbeh, Abidin, Al-Deir, Ahsem, Hachash, Tall Mardikh, Jericho, Kafarsganah, Tufnaz, Hayish, Sahihan, Masmudah and Hamra.

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
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3805

Incident date

June 15, 2019

Location

البارة, Al Bara, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Five civilians, including three children and up to two women, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, Idlib governorate, on June 15th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to 11 other civilians were reportedly injured.

The Local Coordination Committee Syria reported that two children were killed in the raid in the centre of the town, while other sources such as the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that five civilians were killed among whom four children and a woman. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that among the five killed civilians were three children and a woman.

An Orient News correspondent reported four fatalities: three children and a woman. The source added that Syrian Civil Defence teams immediately went to work at the scene. In a later post, @OrientNews reported five killed civilians.

Smart News Agency wrote that three children and two women were killed. Additionally, the source reported that a child and woman were wounded, while @ShahbaPress claimed a total of 11 wounded civilians.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Syrian regime fixed-wing warplanes fired a missile on Martyr Hasan al Mdawar Primary School in Al Bara village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, partially damaging its building and entrance and damaging its furniture, on June 15.” It is unclear if this is the same location where civilian harm occured.

Days after the incident, several sources including Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the girl Jana Abdul Rahman died on June 17th due to wounds sustained in the incident, adding one more child to the death toll. According to Step News Agency, she died in a Turkish hospital.

On June 20th, @IdlibPlus reported that Abdullah Hamdo Al Bari died after being injured in airstrikes on Al Bara earlier.

While most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes, others, such as Shaam News Network, blamed Russia as well as Syrian regime forces for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female died on June 17th of injuries sustained in the airstrikes killed
Age unknown male reported killed on June 20th as the result of injuries sustained in the airstrikes killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2–5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–11
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Destruction at the entrace of Al Mdawar Primary School in Bara village after it was struck by a missile on June 15th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of children who were killed and wounded in an alleged missile strike on Martyr Hasan al Mdawar Primary School in Al Bara on June 15th (via @So-ria98).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl before and after she was killed in an alleged missile strike on Martyr Hasan al Mdawar Primary School in Al Bara on June 15th (via @So-ria98).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “Putin's terrorism and the alliance of resistance and defiance. In Idlib, a picture of two children killed by warplanes a short while ago in the town of Al Bara in Jabal Al Zawiya in Idlib countryside” (via @aboalhodaalhoms).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of two children killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara on June 15th, 2019 (via @aboalhodaalhoms).
  • Translation: “In front of his eyes, they passed away, his young children. A father mourns for his children after their death, as a result of the massive bombing of the criminal regime forces on the town of Al Bara, south of Idlib” (via @AM_AHMAD90).
  • Translation: “Five civilians were killed in raids by the Assad militia on the town of Al Bara, south of Idlib” (via @OrientNews).
  • Translation: “Five martyrs and a number of wounded, as a preliminary result, as a result of the warplanes targeting the town of Al Bara in the southern countryside of Idlib” (via @MMCSYR2).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, June 15th, 2019 (via @MMCSYR2).
  • A woman walking through a destroyed street after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, June 15th, 2019 (via @MMCSYR2).
  • A man walking through rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, June 15th, 2019 (via @MMCSYR2).
  • Civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara, June 15th, 2019 (via @MMCSYR2).
  • An injured child receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara on June 15th, 2019 (via @So-ria98).
  • An injured girl receiving medical help in the hospital after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Bara on June 15th, 2019 (via @So-ria98).

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
    2 – 5
  • (2–5 children1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–11
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3806

Incident date

June 15, 2019

Location

ديرسنبل, Deir Sinbol, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed and a child wounded in Deir Sinbol when, according to Smart News, Russian warplanes shelled the village. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “Syrian regime fixed-wingwarplanes” instead.

Some sources said vacuum missiles were used in this attack, allegedly by the Syrian regime.

No other details are known at this time.

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (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
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3807

Incident date

June 15, 2019

Location

الفطيرة, Al Fatira , Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Al Fatira, Idlib, on June 15th.

Two sources claimed that three civilians had perished in the attack, with Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stating that two of these were women, and Smart News alleging the death of a child.

Meanwhile, other sources referred to two civilians slain, while Step News Agency reported “the killing of another person in the town of Al Fatira, with a family under the rubble south of Idlib.”

“Others” were reported “seriously wounded” in the bombardment, and Smart News stated that “Civil Defense teams worked to extract those trapped under the rubble and to take the injured to nearby field hospitals.”

While three sources attribute the attack to the Syrian regime, one source refers to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting of the incident. Another source does not positively attribute blame.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: "At least two civilians, including a woman, were killed as Syrian warplanes fired missiles in Fattira village in Idlib suburbs, on June 15th" (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • "The death toll in the town of Al-Bara increased to 5, and in the town of Al-Fatira to 3 martyrs."
  • "The town of Al-Fateera in Idlib countryside, was targeted shortly before, with 4 missiles from the warplanes, which led to the death of a man and a woman and wounding 4 others, including 3 children, as we were there with civilians."
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense on the ground after Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Fatira on June 15th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense on the ground trying to rescue civilians under the rubble as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Fatira on June 15th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Fatira on June 15th, 2019 left up to three civilians killed and others injured. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Members of the Syrian Civil Defense on the ground after Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Fatira on June 15th, 2019. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

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
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3808

Incident date

June 15, 2019

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Deaths and injuries among civilians were reported in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 15th.

Smart News stated that “a civilian was wounded by an aerial bombardment of warplanes in the town of Heesh, south of Idlib.”

Furthermore, Syrian Network for Human Rights claimed that “Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles near the building of local council in Heesh village, partially damaging the building and its furniture.”

However, @aeinnews claimed that civilians deaths also were reported as a result of the airstrike.

While one source did not positively attribute blame for the airstrike, another referred to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting of the incident. Meanwhile, Syrian Network for Human Rights named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible for the attack.

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
    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]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Sukhoi 24 warplanes launched air strikes with vacuum missiles on the town of Heesh in the southern countryside of Idlib
  • Sukhoi 24 warplanes launched air strikes with vacuum missiles on the town of Heesh in the southern countryside of Idlib on June 15th, 2019. (via @syrian191124).
  • The Syrian regime's warplanes targeted the town of Heesh in the southern countryside of Idlib with two air strikes, which led to the death and injury of many civilians.
  • The Syrian regime's warplanes targeted the town of Heesh in the southern countryside of Idlib with two air strikes, which led to the death and injury of many civilians. (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
    1
  • 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

RS3810

Incident date

June 15, 2019

Location

حصرايا, Hasraya, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source reported “victims” in an airstrike on Hasraya, Hama, on June 15th.

Another source, Shaam News, also alleges the attack, but does not make reference to any civilian casualties.

Although victims are reported by Smart News in the “aerial bombardment”, no other information is known at this time with regard to how many civilians were harmed in the incident, or to what extent.

Airwars has set a possible injury range of one to two for this event – and is conducting ongoing research.

Shaam News names both Russia and the Syrian regime in the reporting of the event, while Smart News does not positively attribute blame for the airstrike.

No other information is known at this time.

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
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Regime's warplanes strike Hasraya village."

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
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]