Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

RS1462

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Location

جزرايا, Jazaria, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.8605148, 36.9862043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 20 civilians including a child and two women died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Jazaria village, according to sources on the ground.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least four civilians including one girl and two women died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Jazaria village in Aleppo governorate southern suburbs, October 15, 2016.”

Most other sources put the death toll at five or six, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that as many as 20 people died, including children and women.

While most reports blamed Russia, SRG Syria and the Smart News Agency said that both Moscow and Assad had carried out the strikes. Halab News referred to both raids by warplanes and helicopters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abd al Jneid
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed
Nour al Jassem
Child named by Halab News killed
Tarfa al Ahmad
Age unknown named by Halab News killed
Anoud Haj Hashem
Age unknown named by Halab News killed
Abd al Juneil al Jassem
Age unknown named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the exact moment the raid fell on Jazaria, 15th October 2016. (via Zidane)
  • Footage showing the exact moment the raid fell on Jazaria, 15th October 2016. (via UAR)
  • Damage to buildings following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via JisirTV)
  • Mohammad Abd al Jneid, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 15th October 2016. (via asamasyr)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 15th October 2016. (via SyrianArwad)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via SyrianArwad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Jazaria. (via SyrianArwad)
  • Fires in civilian homes due to the alleged raid. (via SyrianArwad)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 20
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1494

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Location

Al Nakir, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.499547, 36.540818 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two children died and two other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al Nakir, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Step News Agency was among sources blaming Russia, reporting that one child died in the strike. But a number of other sources, including Smo-sy, said that two children were killed. A local source reported the “martyrdom of two children and an old man”

However, some other reports, including Rozana FM, attributed the deaths to the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 children0–1 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 children0–1 men)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1689

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Location

ترمانين, Tarminin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.218931, 36.816334 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians, including two children, were killed and at least 10 other civilians were injured in four airstrikes launched against the town of Tarminin in the northern countryside of Idlib. Both those that were killed and injured included patients and members of the medical staff at the hospital.

According to multiple sources, including Enad Baladi and Step News Agency, the airstrikes struck an obstetrics and children’s hospital, which resulted in physical damage to the building and suspension of service to patients.

The airstrikes also struck a nearby residential area, causing damage to civilian homes. Both Russian and regime officials have claimed that they have not struck medical facilities with airstrikes.

The majority of local sources, including Syrian Network for Human Rights and Idlib Media Center, allege that Russian planes were responsible for the airstrikes. However, SPC identified that both Russian and regime airstrikes were carried out against the town of Tarminin.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aref Bassam Aqraa
Child male killed
Abdul Rahman Naanaa
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Aerial bombardment of the town of Tarminin in Idlib
  • Aerial bombardment of the town of Tarminin in Idlib
  • Aerial bombardment of the town of Tarminin in Idlib
  • Aerial bombardment of the town of Tarminin in Idlib
  • Russian occupation planes target the children and women’s hospital in Termanin northern Idlib
  • Russian occupation planes target the children and women’s hospital in Termanin northern Idlib

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a women’s and children’s hospital, within the town of Tarminin (ترمانين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.218931, 36.816334. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1979

Incident date

March 17, 2017

Location

كفر حوت, Kafr Hout , Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

33.359814, 35.978346 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian warplanes wounded two civilians in a raid on the village of Kafr Hout in southern Aleppo Governorate, western Syria, according to sources on the ground.

Sources were unclear of the identity of those injured in this attack. Smart News Today reported that two women were wounded, while Aleppo Civil Defence said that one woman and one man were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Civilians are aided by the White Helmets following an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Hout, March 17th (via White Helmets)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafr Hout (كفر حوت), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.359814, 35.978346. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • 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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4521

Incident date

September 15, 2020

Location

الأحراش المحيطة بمعرة مصرين وباتنتة, The bush near Ma’aret Misrin And Batinta, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian has been injured as a result of multiple strikes by alleged Russian warplanes and missiles hitting the west of Maarat Misrin in Idlib on September 15th 2020.

The civil defense team took the injured man to hospital to treat his injuries.

Images of the location show civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic.

@BassamJaara reported “Russian warplanes bombard the western countryside of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib, with several air raids, in conjunction with targeting the area with long-range missiles from the sea.”

@saedAl_Abdullah added the detail of the use of vacuum missiles from the alleged Russian warplanes in the area.

Multiple sources reported that the alleged Russian warplanes targeted the area with several raids. Stepagency reported this bombardment came as a response to a Turkish patrol on the ground during talks between Russia and Turkey where it is alleged Russia are pressuring the military to make gains in the meetings.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteers rescuing a civilian allegedly injured due to Russian warplanes airstrikes on village of Ahrash on Sep 15th, 2020. (via SCD)
  • Images to a warplane believed to be Russian that allegedly targeted with airstrikes the bush near Ma’aret Misrin And Batinta in Idlib on Sep 15th, 2020. (Via SCD).
  • Location of alleged Russian warplane's airstrikes on the bush near Ma’aret Misrin And Batinta in Idlib on Sep 15th, 2020. (Via SCD).
  • Alleged Russian airstrikes on the bush area in near Ma’aret Misrin And Batinta in Idlib on September 15th, 2020. (via Ariha Today)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by @MNoaymi)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by @MNoaymi)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by @MNoaymi)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by @MNoaymi)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by @aboalhodaalhoms)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by @syriapostnew1)
  • Alleged Russian strikes near Maarat Misrin, causing civilians living in informal camps close to the site of the bombardment in a state of panic. (Image posted by Zaiton Agency)

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
    1
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4447

Incident date

June 16, 2022

Location

القاهرة, Al Kahira, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the town of Al Kahira on June 16, 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that a civilian was wounded when Syrian regime and Russian forces struck his car with a guided missile in the town of Al Kahira in Al-Ghab Plain.

A tweet from @jamlyyyyy refers to the car as belonging to “Ankara militants” while @humam_isa stated that the vehicle belonged to “the opposition factions, which was heading to change the guard duty” without directly commenting on whether the injured person was a civilian or a militant. However, @77Mikiy reported that the car was a civilian car and @MasarPressNet identified a civilian as being injured.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to the Syrian regime while the Syrian Civil Defense identified both Russia and the regime as being responsible. @ZaitunAgency  mentioned that “an ATG missile” was used in 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Vehicle destroyed by alleged Russian and regime strikes in the town of Al Kahira on June 16, 2022. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

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
    1
  • 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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4478

Incident date

October 20, 2022

Location

قرية الصحن, Al Sahen village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was injured by alleged Syrian regime or Russian artillery shelling of the village of Al Sahen on October 20, 2022.

According to the @SyriaCivilDefe, a child was injured by artillery shelling of the village of Al Sahen carried out by Russian and Syrian regime forces. The Civil Defense forces assisted the injured child and ensured there were no additional injuries in the area.

Activist Muhammad Al-Daher reported similar casualties to Al Araby, identifying one child as being injured.

A tweet from @idleb_online reported that the Syrian army was targeting terrorist movements in Al Sahen with heavy artillery, but did not provide any information on casualties. However, @AsharqNewsSYR tweeted that civilian hames were struck by the artillery shelling.

The majority of sources, including @RadioAlKul, attributed the artillery shelling to the Syrian regime, with Al Araby adding that the shelling coincided with the flight of Russian reconnaissance planes. However, @SyriaCivilDefe blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia while @alothman_nabel listed Russia as being responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers inspect the site of artillery shelling that injured a child in Al Sahen village on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • The site of artillery shelling that injured a child in Al Sahen village on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @alothman_nabel)
  • The site of artillery shelling that injured a child in Al Sahen village on October 20, 2022. (Image posted by @Nidalhamo_1)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4515

Incident date

May 29, 2023

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret Al Nassan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On 29th May 2023 three civilians, a man and his two children, were injured by machine gun fire and/or artillery shelling in the town of Maarat al-Nassan, east of Idlib.  The victims were treated locally before being sent to hospital. Sources were conflicted as to whether the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces were responsible.

Several sources reported the injuries had been caused by machine gun fire while two others reported they had been caused by artillery shelling (@Syr_television, @radioAlKul). The confusion may have arisen because of a separate attack – the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the initial machine gun attack in Maarat al-Nassan invited a response from rebel groups to which the Syrian regime initiated bouts of artillery shelling.

Both the Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) and Nedaa Post attributed the incident to both the Syrian regime and Russia while the other sources blamed only the Syrian regime. Neither the Syrian regime nor Russian forces have claimed responsibility for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ 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
    Artillery, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]