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

RS3980

Incident date

July 30, 2019

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that Russian forces shelled the town of Jbala in Idlib governorate on July 30th, 2019, wounding an unknown number of civilians.

@MasarPressNet tweeted that “civilians were wounded as a result of Russian warplanes bombing on the outskirts of the town of Jabala in the southern countryside.”

Edlib Media Centre and @Stepp_Agency also reported Russian strikes on Jbala, leading to an unknown number of injured civilians.

@IdlibPlus reported that “Russian warplanes target the towns of Jabala and Al-Amiriya in the southern countryside of Idlib with missiles.”

All sources blamed Russia for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3981

Incident date

July 30, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, which targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib countryside around 12:30 PM on July 30th, 2019.

Step Agency wrote that “the Russian air force targeted several airstrikes in Khan [Sheikhoun], Moka and Jbala villages in the southern countryside of Idlib, injuring a number of civilians.” Horrya also reported that civilians were injured in strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Moka and Jbala, but did not specify a number.

@mohamadsalomala tweeted that around 12:30 PM, “an air strike by Russian warplanes targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun.”

@syrian191124 reported “Attacks by a Su22 warplane with vacuum missiles targeting the Al Latamine area and the vicinity of Khan Sheikhoun.”

The incident occured at 12:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3982

Incident date

July 30, 2019

Location

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Mouqa, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019.

@Step_Agency reported that “Russian warplanes targeted the town of Mouqa in the southern countryside of Idlib”

@Syrian191124 tweeted: “Helicopters targeted with barrel bombs the vicinity of the village of Mouqa in the southern countryside of Idlib”

In another post, Step News Agency reported: “The Russian air force targeted several air strikes in Khan, Moka and Jbala villages in the southern countryside of Idlib, injuring a number of civilians.”

All sources blamed Russia for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Warplanes shelling the village of Mouqa , southern Idlib countryside on July 30th, 2019 (via @AlatrashGhaleb).

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3983

Incident date

July 30, 2019

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilian males were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019, according to local sources.

A @jisirtv correspondent reported: “Two civilians were injured as a result of the airstrike on the city of Saraqib a short while ago”.” Edlib Media Centre also reported two injured civilians.

According to Step News Agency, two men were injured: “A military aircraft of the regime targeted the city of Sarqib with an airstrike that caused the injury of two men.”

@asraryaho4 was the only source explicitly stating that there had been no reports of injuries.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted: “Warplanes of the regime forces bombard the popular market in the centre of the city of Saraqib, south of Idlib.”

Nearly all sources pointed to the Syrian regime as the responsible belligerent for the strikes. Only Syria News Net blamed Russia, while Horrya reported that both Russia and the Syrian regime had targeted the city.

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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Saraqib on July 30th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Saraqib on July 30th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Saraqib on July 30th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Saraqib on July 30th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Saraqib on July 30th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Saraqib on July 30th (via Edlib Media Center).
  • Translation: “Saraqib, a little while ago. Rural Idlib” (via @mosh3oz450).
  • Translation: “The location of the airstrike that targeted the market in the city of Saraqib a while ago, and there were no injuries” (via @asraryaho4).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019 (via @asraryaho4).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Civilians next to a damaged building after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Civilians in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019 (via El Dorar).
  • Translation: “Idlib: Russian warplanes bomb the city of Saraqib 7/30/2019” (via Syria News Network).

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
    2
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3984

Incident date

July 31, 2019

Location

كفرزيبا, Kafar Zeiba, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and up to seven civilians, including at least one woman, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafar Zeiba, Idlib governorate, on July 31st, 2019, according to local sources.

Al Araby wrote: “The bombing of the village of Kafar Zeiba, near the city of Ariha, resulted in the killing of two children and the injury of a woman, as a result of an airstrike by a warplane with explosive rockets thrown at one time on civilian homes, according to what civil defence teams reported.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the children as the girl Noor Muhsen Al Yousef and the baby Mohammad Fadi Al Yousef. Justice Organization reported that the baby was no more than nine months old. According to @NagiNajjar, the girl was four years old and the baby seven months old.

A correspondent for @jisrtv reported that “two children were killed and others were wounded”, implying that there were multiple injured civilians. @abonorx1 also reported that several civilians were wounded.

7al reported seven injured civilians: “The Civil Defence Directorate stated that this morning, warplanes bombed the village of Kafar Zeiba, near the city of Ariha, south of Idlib, with missiles, killing two children and wounding about seven civilians with various injuries.”

The Syrian Civil Defence reported their teams were present at the site, writing: “Two children were killed and one woman was injured by a military airstrike targeting civilian houses in the town of Kafar Zeiba near the city of Ariha in the village of Idlib this morning. Our teams were there with the civilians.”

While nearly all sources blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes, Justice Organization pointed to Russia. Enab Baladi reported both Russia and the Syrian regime as the belligerents of the strikes.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–7
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Baby Mohammed Al Yusufi was killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on Kafar Zeita on July 31st (via Justice Organization).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene after an alleged Russian or Syrian strike struck Kafar Zeiba on July 31st (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Translation: “Two martyrs (children) and a number of wounded in an air strike targeting the village of Kafar Zeiba, west of Ariha, a short while ago” (via @binnish_revolu).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Zeiba on July 31st, 2019 (via @binnish_revolu).
  • Translation: “Two children were killed in raids of the Assad militia on the village of Kafar Zeiba, south of Idlib – Syria” (via Orient News).
  • The child Muhammad Fadi Al Youssef was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafar Zeiba on July 31st, 2019 (via Muhammed Cemal Attar).

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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–7
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3986

Incident date

August 1, 2019

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, Hama, on August 1st.

Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that “Ahmad Mohammad Abo Zaid, from Helfya city in the northwestern suburbs of Hama governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on Latmeen village in the northern suburbs of Hama governorate, on August 1, 2019.”

Halfaya Facebook page said that Ahmad was killed while rescuing others civilians who were wounded as a result of Russian airstrikes on Latmeen.

SMART News also cited a civilian killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, Shaam News reported that “in the villages of Hama, the raids continued violently by Russian warplanes and Assad’s airforce on several cities and towns, killing and wounding in Al-Latamina and Latmeen.”

One source attributed the airstrike to Russia, and another source attributed blame to Syria. Shaam News named both Russian forces and the Syrian regime 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 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture of Ahmed Muhammad Abu Zaid who was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmeen on August 1st, 2019. (via Halfaya FB page)
  • An image of Ahmed Muhammad Abu Zaid who was reported the only victim of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmeen on August 1st, 2019. (via SHRC)

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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3987

Incident date

August 1, 2019

Location

كفر نبل, Kafar Nubul, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported killed, and four to six civilians including two children injured, in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery on Kafar Nubul , Idlib, on August 1st. Out of the injured, four belong to one family.

It was reported that Kafar Nubul was targeted with two raids on that day. The victim was named by local sources as Najwa Muhammad Al-Ashtar, a 28 year old IDP from Homs who died of injuries she sustained in morning airstrikes. Justice Organisation reported that the victim died in Kafar Zeita and it is unclear whether that was stated by mistake as all the sources mentioned her name as a victim in Kafar Nubul.

Smart News reported the “destruction of civilian homes and a school in the city of Kafar Nabil south of Idlib in northern Syria, as a result of aerial bombardment of Syrian warplanes to the residential neighborhoods in the city. Activist Ahmed Hanini said on Thursday, August 1, 2019, that a woman was killed and four civilians were injured as a result of the shelling.”

Meanwhile, Halab Today documented one civilian killed, and six injured.

Syrian Network for Human Rights named the school damaged as “Martyr Ahmad Alloush School known as al Reifiya School”, stating that the airstrikes “partially damaged its building and severely damaged its furniture”.

Sources attributed the attack to the Syrian regime and/or Russia. @blaas083 tweeted that a MiG-23 warplane conducted the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption: "Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on Martyr Ahmad Alloush School known as al Reifiya School in Kafar nabil city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, partially damaging its building and severely damaging its furniture, on August 1, 2019." (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • Caption translation: Kafr Nubul has been under Russian bombardment a while ago.
  • Caption translation: The second raid.
  • Caption translation: Five injuries from one family in the city of Kafranbel, south of Idlib, as a result of targeting the city with vacuum missiles by Assad's warplanes and Russia.
  • Caption translation: Four casualties in two airstrikes that targeted the rural school and a house in the city of Kafar Nubul.
  • Caption translation: A woman was killed and four civilians were wounded as a result of being targeted by the Russian warplanes with an air strike on the town of Kafr Nubul in the southern countryside of Idlib. The actor of Russian warfare
  • Aftermath of a raid in Kafar Nubul that hit a school causing damage on August 1st, 2019. (via@FSLA2011).
  • Destruction in a school in Kafar Nubul as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or shelling on August 1st, 2019. (via @FSLA2011).
  • Caption translation: Kafar Nubul a while ago.
  • Caption translation; Civilians were wounded in a raid by the warplanes on the city of Kafar Nubul in the southern countryside of Idlib.
  • Caption translation: A displaced martyr from Homs and four wounded and destroyed in Ahmed Al-Aloush School, as a result of raids targeting the city
  • One of six civilians reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or shelling on Kafar Nubul on August 1st, 2019. (via Justice Organisation).

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3988

Incident date

August 1, 2019

Location

مورك, Mourek , Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and up to three civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mourek, Hama, on August 1st, 2019, according to local sources.

@IdlibPlus tweeted that “a civilian was killed as a result of the targeting of Russian warplanes by the city of Mourek in the northern suburbs of Hama by air raids.”

The Syria Civil Defence stated that “a man was injured by the targeting of the city of Mourek in the countryside of Hama, by explosive barrels at noon today”, adding that their teams were at the site.

According to@OrientNews, “three civilians were injured due to the barrel bombing of the city of Mourek, Hama.” @Step_Agency reported one injured civilian.

@NagiNajjar blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes, writing that “the regime’s warplanes and helicopters bombard with vacuum missiles and barrel bombs the city of Morek in the northern Hama countryside.” @syrian191124 also blamed the Syrian regime, while other sources reported Russia as the belligerent of the strikes.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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, Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption: "A man was injured by the targeting of the city of Morek in the countryside of Hama, by the explosive barrel at noon today, our teams were there with the civilians." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Translation: “The regime's warplanes and helicopters bombard with vacuum missiles and barrel bombs the city of Morek in the northern Hama countryside” (via @NagiNajjar).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mourek, Hama governorate, on August 1st, 2019 (via @NagiNajjar).
  • Translation: “The warplanes of the Assad gangs and helicopters bombard with vacuum missiles and barrel bombs the city of Morek in the northern Hama countryside” (via @syrian191124).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mourek, Hama governorate, on August 1st, 2019 (via @syrian191124).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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, Unknown, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]