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

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

RS3812

Incident date

June 16, 2019

Location

كرسعة, Karsa’a, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed, and “others wounded”, in airstrikes on Karsa’a, Idlib, on June 16th.

Syrian network for Human Rights names Ahmad Adnan al Ali as the victim of the attack.

Three sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime, while Shaam News referred to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.

Step News agency tweeted that “one civilian was killed, and others wounded by airstrikes carried out by the air force aircraft targeting the town of Karsa’a.”

 

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 man)
  • 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

Sources (14) [ 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 man)
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3813

Incident date

June 16, 2019

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Two children and a woman were reported wounded in airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on June 16th.

While four sources referred to “a number wounded”, or “many wounded”, in the attack – – cited as “mainly children” – both Local Coordination Committee for Syria and Edlib Media Center, quantified those injured as two children and a woman.

While three sources did not positively attribute blame for the aerial bombardment, two named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible. Meanwhile, Shaam News referred to both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.

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
    3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "Two children and a woman were wounded, and homes and properties were destroyed in the town of Hish, as a result of the air strikes of the Assad warplanes targeting the residential neighborhoods of the town this evening."

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3814

Incident date

June 16, 2019

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat , Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One women was reported killed in an airstrike on Al Zakat, Hama, on June 16th. She was named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as Isaaf Al-Faraj.

Two sources claimed the death of one woman, and Step News Agency also alleged the wounding of “others” in the attack. Meanwhile, Shaam News reported on the airstrike, but did not cite any civilian casualties

While two sources did not positively attribute blame for the airstrike, Shaam News referred to both Russian forces and the Assad regime in reporting of the incident.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female Wife of Ismael Ghaleb al-Rahmoun killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (15) [ 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 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3815

Incident date

June 16, 2019

Location

Several towns and villages in Idlib, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam News reported a number of airstrikes on a number of locations in Idlib on June 16th, citing “many wounded, including women and children.”

According to this source, “the Russian military and Assad regime carried out air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and shelling, targeting the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhun, Kifroma, Ma’arah al-Nu’man, Hayish, Safwan, Al-Fataira, Muqqa, Ma’arrah, Hormah, Tirmala, Hachas, Kefersgana, Karsa, Bara, Hossan and Al-Fatira. A martyr in Karsa’a and many wounded in the other areas Including children and women.”

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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

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 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3819

Incident date

June 18–19, 2019

Location

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and others injured in the shelling of Tarmala, Idlib. Most sources reported the incident occurred on June 19th, while Syrian Network for Human Rights reported it occurred on June 18th instead.

Idlib Plus named the victim of the attack as “Ahmed Nouri Al Da’our.

Syrian Observatory for Human rights stated that “a citizen was killed in shelling by the regime forces on Tarmala in the southern countryside of Idlib.” However, Orient increased the death toll saying ”

Two other sources named both Russia and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident, while Edlib Media Center also referred to the Syrian regime as responsible for the shelling. Another source did not positively attribute blame.

Shaam News alleged that “the warplanes of the Assad regime and Russia launched dozens of air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and shelling targeting” a number of locations, listing Tarmala among these, as well as “a martyr” as a result of the attack.

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 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

Sources (16) [ 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 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

Sources (16) [ collapse]