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

RS4416

Incident date

February 6, 2020

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian, a  woman, was reported killed and between three and four civilians, including three children and a woman, sustained injuries during alleged Russian or Regime airstrike or artillery shelling on civilian homes in the Town of Hayyan in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 6, 2020. Anadolu Agency noted that Hayyan was situated in one of the ‘de-escalation’ areas. Multiple sources also mentioned that vacuum missiles were used during the attack.

Regarding civilian harm, multiple sources, including Zakria Zelo, claimed that a woman, identified as Fatoum Ateeq, the wife of Hamdo Qanti, died and three children and a woman sustained injuries as a result of bombing with vacuum missiles on the town of Hayyan. Idlib Plus and the SCD Aleppo reported that a woman was killed and three children were wounded. According to a tweet from Amer4news, the three injured children and the deceased woman belonged to the same family. Baladi Network and SOHEB2019 were the only sources that claimed multiple civilian deaths.

Fresh Syria stated that the Assad Regime forces and their Russian ally were pursuing a scorched-earth policy by means of heavy artillery shellings and airstrikes on the Idlib and Aleppo governorates, including Hayyan, resulting in the forced displacement of the civilians living there.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike with the Syrian network for Human Rights attributing the attack to Syrian Regime forces, while Al Bawaba News referred to Russia as having carried out airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hayyan. Shaam News Networked said that both Russia and the Syrian Regime were responsible for the attack on Hayyan, however they consolidated the incident into a larger report of strikes across various cities and towns.

According to SCD Aleppo, the incident took place in the afternoon.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • SCD volunteers rescuing civilians after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers rescuing civilians after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers rescuing civilians after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • Aftermath of airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers rescuing a child after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers rescuing a child after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers rescuing a child after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • SCD volunteers rescuing civilians after airstrikes on Hayyan in Aleppo, Syria on February 6th, 2020 (via SCD)

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 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4417

Incident date

February 6, 2020

Location

عندان, Andan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to one civilian was reported injured after alleged Russian and/or Syrian airstrikes or artillery shelling on the city of Andan in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 6, 2020.

Regarding civilian harm, Smart News reported that according to Civil Defence journalist Hamzah al-Youssef “(…) a civilian was injured as a result of an artillery shelling that targeted the city of Andan (…)”. Bawaba Aleppo also said that one civilian sustained injuries during the attack. However, the Syrian Violence Documentation Center stated that raids with missiles from Russian warplanes and with barrel bombs of the Syrian government forces’ helicopters targeted multiple cities, including andan on Thursday, February 6, 2020 without any injuries. Similarly, Jisr TV reported that the air raids of Russian and Regime forces on Andan only resulted in material losses.

Many sources mentioned damage to civilian objects. SCD Aleppo reported that “artillery bombardments by the regime forces on Andan [caused] extensive damage and destruction to residential houses and the medical point in the city.” Similarly, @HalabTodayTV said that “Andan Health Center is out of service after being subjected to artillery shelling by the regime forces.” This was also reported by Baladi News Network. The Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that the Regime fired an artillery shell near Anadan High School in Anadan city, partially damaging its building and furniture.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike with Anadolu Agency attributing the attack to Russia, while SNHR and SCD Aleppo referred to Regime forces as having carried out the strike. Bawaba Aleppo initially quoted Smart News saying that Regime forces stationed in the suburb of Al-Zahraa Association west of Aleppo carried out artillery strikes on Andan, though they later reported that Russia had launched the airstrikes on Andan. VDC Syria claimed that both Russian warplanes and Regime helicopters with barrel bombs attacked the city of Andan, however they consolidated the incident into a larger report of strikes across various cities and towns.

The incident allegedly took place on Thursday morning. The exact local time of the incident is unknown.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by Syrian regime or Russian forces shelling on Andan in Aleppo on Feb 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • Destruction to Andadn school in Aleppo caused by Syrian regime or Russian forces shelling on Andan in Aleppo on Feb 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • Destruction to residential areas in Andan, Aleppo caused by Syrian regime or Russian forces shelling on Feb 6th, 2020 (via SCD)
  • Destruction to residential areas in Andan, Aleppo caused by Syrian regime or Russian forces shelling on Feb 6th, 2020 (via SCD)

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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4421

Incident date

February 6, 2020

Location

مناطق متعددة, Several Towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam Network reported that on February 6th, 2020 “Russian and Syrian regime air forces launched dozens of very violent and airstrikes targeting the areas of clashes, the city of Idlib, the towns and villages of Sarmin, Qumenas, Taftanaz, Kafr Nubel and Hass, which led to the fall of a child martyr in Taftanaz, 11 martyrs in the city of Idlib, and a number of wounded in the rest of the areas.”

No further details are available at the moment. Due to limitations in sources, it is possible that the casualties have been reflected in other assessments.

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
    11
  • 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
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4418

Incident date

February 6, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several Towns, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On February 6th, 2020, several towns were reported bombed by airstrikes, with four reported dead and one woman injured.

Shaam Network reported that, “Russian and Assad warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes, accompanied by fierce artillery and missile shelling that targeted the areas of clashes, cities, towns, villages of Azaz, Huritan, Kafr Hamrah, Andan, Maarat Al-Ateeq, Kafr Alepp, Greater Awarm, Babis, Kafr Basin, Kafr Dael, Al-Rashideen Association, Khan Al-Asal, and Bashnata, which resulted in the fall of 4 martyrs in Urm Al Kubra. One lady in Hayyan, and many wounded, in the rest of the targeted areas.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4412

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

عندان, Andan, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were reported injured during alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan in the northern countryside of Aleppo on February 5th, 2020.

Regarding civilian harm, Jirs TV, Masar Press and others tweeted that “Civilians were wounded by the bombing of the Russian occupation warplanes on the city of [Andan], north of Aleppo.” Step New agency and the Syrian Civil Defence said that three civilians sustained injuries after Russian warplanes attacked the town of Andan with vacuum missiles. According to a tweet from Sy24ria there were children among the injured.

Aside from alleged civilian harm, multiple sources, including the Syrian civil Defence and @sahl1991, reported widespread material damage to residential neighborhoods and civilian homes. The Syrian Network for Human Rights mentioned that the Hamzah Bin Abd al Muttaled Mosque was damaged during the attack on Andan.

All sources attributed the airstrikes on Andan on February 5, 2020 to the Russian armed forces. The correspondent of Step News Agency in Aleppo, Hadeel Al-Mohammed, said that Russian warplanes targeted Andan with vacuum missiles.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that “fixed-wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles near Hamzah Bin Abd al Muttaleb Mosque in Andan city in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, partially damaging its building, on February 5.”

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Civilians standing in rubble after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Hamzah Bin Abd al Muttaleb Mosque in Andan city in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate was partially damaged in alleged Russian airstrikes on February 5th, 2020 (via SN4HR).
  • Damaged buildings after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Civilians standing on the streets in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Aftermath of Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • A street in Andan, Aleppo governorate, after alleged Russian airstrikes on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Damaged vehicle after Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer on the site after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the site after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan, Aleppo governorate, on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)
  • Sy24ria uploaded pictures showing the severe material damage after alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Andan on February 5, 2020. (Image via Twitter)

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
    2–3
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4413

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

جدرايا, Jadraya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians, including up to four women and two children, were reported killed and six civilians were injured as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes on the village of Jadraya in the southwestern Idlib countryside on February 5, 2020.

Regarding civilian harm, Shaam and @thiqanewsagency reported that four civilians died during the airstrikes on Jadraya.  EyadHoms20, a local activist, initially tweeted that four civilians were killed, though he later revised his estimate to five, including three women and a child. According to multiple sources, the victims were a displaced family from the village of Al Kamari. @FSLA2011 identified them as Noha, daughter of Asaad Al-Fahd (F), Faris Abdul Razzaq (M), Saffa Abdul Razzaq (F), Marwa Abdul Razzaq (F) and Majeeda Abdul Razzaq (F).

The Syrian Network for Human Rights stated “that six civilians from the same family, including a girl and four women, IDPs from [Kamari] village in the southern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, were killed (…).” According to Kara al Safrani, six civilians, including two children of one family, died during the attack on the village of Jadraya.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strike, with Jesr press attributing the strikes to Regime and Russian forces while more than ten sources attributed the strike to the Russian Armed Forces.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Noha, daughter of Asaad Al-Fahd نهى بنت اسعد الفهد
female killed
Faris Abdul Razzaq فارس عبد الرزاق
male
Saffa Abdul Razzaq صفه عبد الرزاق
female
Marwa Abdul Razzaq مرواه عبدالرزاق
female
Majeeda Abdul Razzaq مجيده عبد الرزاق
female

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (1 child3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer standing next to a man carrying a body after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jadraya on February 5th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jadraya on February 5th, 2020 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Man sitting next to a body after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jadraya on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jadraya on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Destroyed building after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jadraya on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer working on the site after alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Jadraya on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • A new massacre committed by Putin in the village of Jadraya in the southern of Aleppo 6 civilians, including two children of one family

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
    4 – 6
  • (1 child3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4414

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians, including a child, were reported killed and four civilians, including up to four children and a woman, were injured as a result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian airstrikes on the town of Taftanaz in the northeastern countryside of Idlib on February 5, 2020. The majority of sources reported that during the attack barrel bombs were dropped out of helicopters.

Regarding civilian harm, Ayham Steif and thawrat111 tweeted that the attack on Taftanaz resulted in multiple deaths. However, most sources reported only one civilian casualty, a girl, that the Syrian Network for Human Rights identified as Aalaa Alaa Rahhal.

Reporting on wounded civilians varied. A number of sources, including Al Jisr TV, said that several civilians sustained injuries, most of them children. According to Smart News, three children and a woman got wounded, while @FdzPWRe6ruGFPd tweeted that four children were injured. Three sources reported that the attack on Taftanaz resulted in four civilian injuries without any further specifications.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the airstrikes on Taftanaz. @EyadHoms20 attributed the attack to the Syrian Armed Forces stating that “[h]elicopters of the regime [targeted] with barrel bombs the city of Taftanaz in the northern Idlib countryside”, while others referred to Russia as having carried out the strikes. According to Nafeza Media, both Russia and the Regime were involved.  It stated that “Russian occupation aircraft and helicopters of the Assad militia launched dozens of missiles and barrel bombs on the town.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of children injured and killed after Syrian and/or Russian armed forces allegedly bombed the city of Taftanaz with barrel bombs. (Posted by ala_hacioglu via Twitter)
  • A man carrying a child stands in line to receive first aid after alleged airstrikes of Syrian and/or Russian forces on the town of Taftanaz on February 5, 2020 resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. (Image posted by Ahmad Ghazal on Facebook)
  • Ahmad Ghazal uploaded photographs of the destruction that resulted from alleged Syrian and.or Russian airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz on February 5, 2020. (Image via Facebook)
  • Ahmad Ghazal uploaded photographs of the destruction that resulted from alleged Syrian and.or Russian airstrikes on the city of Taftanaz on February 5, 2020. (Image via Facebook)

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
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4411

Incident date

February 5, 2020

Location

أطراف مدينة إدلب قرب قرية قميناس, outskirts of Idlib near Qminas village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported to be killed by an air raid upon the village of Quminas on the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th.

Ahmed Sheikho, media director for the Syrian Civil Defense, told Smart News that “a Russian plane targeted two cow farms near the village of Quminas, killing three people”. A tweet from Syrian Civil Defense noted that three medical facilities were targeted in the Idlib countryside. Jisr News, in conjunction with Syrian Civil Defense, later clarified that the farms were poultry farms that were hit by alleged Russian air strikes, and two men and a child were killed. @MoamenRawy tweeted that Syrian Civil Defense volunteers were unable to remove the bodies from the rubble of the bombing. The Syrian Network for Human Rights tweeted hours later that the bodies were successfully excavated from the areas struck by alleged Russian warplanes.

The air strike specifically strucktargeted poultry farms without military importance and killed three civilians.

Tweets and reports from various news agencies in the area attributed the air strike to Russian warplanes.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Men sitting next to the body of one of the victims who were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib near Qminas village on February 5th, 2020 (via SN4HR).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians carrying away a body from the site after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians carrying a body away from the site after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians recovering a body after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Damage after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers and civilians rescuing an injured cow from the site after alleged Russian airstrikes in the outskirts of Idlib on February 5th, 2020 (via SCD).

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
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]