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

RS3240

Incident date

March 12, 2018

Location

منطقة المتحف وسوق الهال, Al Muthaf and Souq Al Hal areas, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.945833, 39.016667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded, when alleged Russian or regime airstrikes struck Al Muthaf and the Souq Al Hal areas in Idlib city, local media reported.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian and regime warplanes targeted the city of Idlib several raids focused on the Al Muthaf area and Souq of Hal, wounding civilians.”

The Smart News agency also reported “wounded civilians”, blaming the regime.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted that there were four raids.

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al Muthaf and Souq Al Hal areas, 12th March 208. (via Smart News Agency)

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4017

Incident date

August 13, 2019

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Jarjanaz, Idlib, on August 13th.

Halab today stated that “nine people, including four women and two children, were injured in aerial cluster bombardment on Jarjanaz town.” According to Zaman Al Wasel, White Helmets confirmed that three men and four women were wounded by shelling with cluster bombs that targeted the town of Jarjanaz.

Baladi News also reported that “nine civilians were wounded when the regime’s warplanes bombed SU24s on residential neighborhoods in Jarjanaz town, east of Maaret al-Nouman, in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

However, SMART agency said that “16 civilians were wounded, as a result of airstrikes by the Syrian regime forces on the town of Jarjanaz (37 km south of Idlib), in northern Syria.”

@Mnar18049738 tweeted that the town was targeted with two raids, the first with three cluster missiles, and the second with six.

Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on al Rahman Mosque in Jarjanaz town in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, partially destroying its building and damaging its furniture, on August 13th.”

One source attributed the attack to Russian forces, while two named the Syrian regime as the belligerent responsible for the airstrike. Another source did not positively attribute blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–16
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: "The moment of the warplane attack on the town of Jarjanaz in the southern countryside of Idlib."
  • An image showing the moment an airstrike hit Jarjanaz in Idlib on August 13th, 2019. (via @anasanas84).
  • Caption: "Civilian casualties in the town of Jarjanaz in Idlib countryside, as a result of being targeted by airstrikes."
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).
  • A Civil Defense volunteer putting off a fire that erupted in the aftermath of an airstrike on Jarjanaz in Idlib on Aug 13th. (via @IdlibPlus).

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
    9–16
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4084

Incident date

August 27, 2019

Location

الغدفة, Al Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on a hospital in Al Ghadafa, according to sources on the ground.

Smart reported: “two guards are still trapped under the rubble of the hospital targeted by Russia vacuum missiles, noting that civil defense teams are trying to reach the scene of the bombing to save the wounded, but the continued shelling prevented it.Local sources pointed out that the target hospital is mainly out of service as a result of previous shelling of Russia and regime forces.”

According to the White Helmets, “two civilians were injured and material damage was reported due to the targeting of a hospital in al-Ghadfa town in Idlib countryside by warplanes last night [Aug 27th], where violations of the Assad regime and its Russian ally continue to target medical and vital facilities in northern Syria.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: “Fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired a missile on Martyr Myassar al Hamdo Hospital in al Ghadafa village in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, partially destroying its building and fence, on August 27. We note that the hospital went out of service on August 16, due to the recent military campaign carried out by Syrian- Russian Alliance forces on the fourth de-escalation zone”.

@ShahbaPress  tweeted that the hospital was “destroyed”.

Etilaf  noted that Russia carried out a strike at 10.35pm.

The incident occured at 22:35:00 local time.

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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Al Ghadfa, Aug 27th (via White Helmets)
  • The ruins of Martyr Myassar al Hamdo Hospital in al Ghadafa following an alleged Russian strike on Aug 27th (via SN4HR)
  • Caption: Zeitoun Agency: Civilians were wounded by the Russian air strikes on the town of Al-Ghadfa in the southern Idlib countryside.
  • An injured child carried by Syrian Civil Defence after alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Ghadfa on August 27th. (via @ZaitunAgency).

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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4120

Incident date

October 28, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian warplanes launched fierce airstrikes targeting the city of Kafranbel, the towns of Rakaya, Hass, Hazarin, Fatira, Dar al-Kabira and Jibala .The Assad artillery bombarded the town of Ma’rat Harmah, resulting in the fall of three martyrs in Kafr Nabil and several wounded in the rest of the regions”.

No further details are currently available.

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 attacker
    Russian Military

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
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS385 RS4150

Incident date

November 8, 2019

Location

سرمساخ, Sermisax, Al Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

37.138889, 41.977500 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and between five and ten others wounded allegedly when Turkish or Russian forces opened fire on protesters in Sermisax, in Qamishli – Syria on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources.

ANHA reported that Serkheboon Ali was killed, and the following civilians were among the injured: Bahoz Çelo,  Fehed Mûsa, Sûhêl Ebdellah, and Eyîşa Omer û Alaa Omer.

The Kurdish Red Crescent report on the casualties caused by the Turkish operation between October 9th and November 14th mentioned that Serkheboon Ali was killed as a Turkish Tank ran over his body.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male from Dêrna Axê village injured
Age unknown male tear gas inhalation injured
Age unknown male Girkê Legê resident injured
Age unknown female Resident of Mistefawiyê village injured
Age unknown female Resident of Mistefawiyê village injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Serxwebûn Ali was killed in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • Civilians injured in Derik on 8 Nov 2019 after allegedly Turkish/Russian convoy opened fire on protesters (via ANHA)
  • KRC list of civilians killed and injured between 09 October and 14 November 2019.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sermisax (سرمساخ), for which the coordinates are: 37.138889, 41.977500. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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
    Turkish Military, Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4186

Incident date

November 20, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة,, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported wounded civilians across Idlib.

The Shaam reported said: “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships carried out dozens of airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling targeting the cities of Maarat al-Numan, Kafrnabel, the towns and villages of al-Saraj, Musharrafa, Jabalha, Bara, Barba, Helba, Umm Jalal, Tall Dum, Sahal, Umm al-Tinah, Zarzour, Babila, Hamdiya, Biskla, Maarat Harmah, Kafarsheh, Hass, Adama. Six people were killed in Maarat al-Nu’man, one in Jabala, and several civilians were injured in some other targeted areas.”

No further details are currently available.

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 attacker
    Russian Military

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
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4218

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

قرية الشيخ أحمد, , Sheikh Ahmed village, south of Aleppo city, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three people including a child, a woman, and an elderly man, were injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Sheikh Ahmed in the southern Aleppo countryside on the evening of December 3rd 2021, according to local reports.

The description of the victims matched across several sources.

The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo said that four strikes were carried out by Russian warplanes, according to Syria Tv. The Civil Defense reportedly transported the injured to a nearby medical facility for first aid.

Twitter users @MP3oTCD1LCEr0k5 and @Ahmad_1alshble, said two raids had targeted the outskirts of the village.

A correspondent for Baladi said the strikes had occurred at midnight on Tuesday and that “vacuum missiles” had been used.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that more than 10 airstrikes took place in locations including the White River area near the city of Jisr al-Shughour west of Idlib and Sheikh Ahmad village.

The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo reported there were material losses in the village as a result of the strikes.

All of the sources said that Russian aircraft had been responsible for the strikes.

The incident occured around midnight.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "child, a woman and an elderly man from the same family were injured in raids by Russian occupation aircraft on the village of Sheikh Ahmad in rural areas in southern Aleppo"
  • An alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Hamed, Dec 3rd 2019.
  • Destruction in Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Dec 3rd 2019 (via Baladi)
  • Destruction in Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Dec 3rd 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Dec 3rd 2019 (via White Helmets)
  • Destruction in the village of Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on December 3rd, 2019. (Image uploaded by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Destruction in the village of Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on December 3rd, 2019. (Image uploaded by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Rescue workers in the village of Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on December 3rd, 2019. (Image uploaded by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • Destruction in the village of Sheikh Ahmed following an alleged Russian airstrike on December 3rd, 2019. (Image uploaded by @fawaz_jwaid)
  • A rescue worker is seen amongst the rubble following an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Sheikh Ahmed on December 3rd, 2019. (Image uploaded by @zerba.media.office)

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
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4253

Incident date

December 16, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Dozens of civilians were reportedly wounded as the result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on several locations in Idlib governorate on December 16th, 2019.

Shaam News Agency reported that the airstrikes targeted the city of Ma’arat Al Numan and the villages and towns of Deir Al Sharqi, Al Haraki, Al Harman, Harran, Abumaki, Mar’shourin, Talmans, Al Ra’fah, Al Halba, Kafarouma, Tal Al Shih, Ma’saran, Al Ghadfa, Al Barasa, Abu Dafna, Ma’saruna, Jarjnaz, Ma’rash, Al Sayyid, Hataya, Dana, and Ain Qurei farm.

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
    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 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]