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

RS3469

Incident date

June 27, 2018

Location

ابطع, Ibta'a, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.7899783, 36.152792 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed and injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Ibta’a, Dara’a governorate, on June 27th, 2018, according to local sources.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that there were “civilian casualties caused by a Russian air raid on the town of #Ibta’a in the central  countryside of #Dara’a.”

In a later post, the LCCSY wrote that “at least 10 civilians were killed by Russian forces airstrikes on the towns of Masifra, Jiza, Saida, and Ibta’a in the eastern and central countryside of the province”, but did not specify how many casualties fell in the village of Ibta’a.

@HalabTodayTV tweeted that their correspondent had reported “civilian victims of Russian airstrikes on the town of Ibta’a in the western countryside of Dara’a.”

Shaam News Network reported that “one martyr fell in each of Dara’a Al Balad and the towns of Msaifra, Al Ghariya Al Sharqiya, Al Soura, Al Adwan and Ibta’a”, implying that at one civilian was killed in Ibta’a.

All sources blamed Russia for the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke after alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Ibta'a, Dara'a governorate, on June 27th, 2018 (via @Mohamadabzed).

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
    1 – 2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3495

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

شيخ سعد, Al Sheikh Saad, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.835822, 36.037259 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sheikh Saad on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network.

SNN wrote that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafas, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Mseifra, Saida, Gharia, Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Mayan, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”, implying that civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in Al Sheikh Saad.

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3966

Incident date

July 27, 2019

Location

كفرعويد, Kafar Aouid, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two girls were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafar Aouid, Idlib countryside, on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources.

@baladinetwork tweeted: “The regime’s warplanes bomb the village of Kafar Aouid in the southern countryside of Idlib.” According to @IdlibPlus, civilian homes were targeted.

According to @nehad8_88, “two girls were wounded as a first toll and massive property damage as a result of the targeting of the town by Sukhoi 22 warplanes a short while ago.”

@Step_Agency wrote that “warplanes targeted the town of Kafr Aouid in the southern countryside of Idlib, coinciding with missile strikes from the Gorin camp targeting the town of Sufuhn in the western countryside of Idlib.”

Sources pointed to both Russia and the Syrian regime as the responsible belligerent for the strikes.

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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video capturing the first moments after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime strike hit the village of Kafr Aouid in Idlib on July 27th (via Kafar Aouid).
  • Translation: “Warplanes carried out an air strike on the town of Kafr Aouid a short while ago” (via @binnish_revolu).
  • Photo of alleged Russian or Syiran regime airstrikes on the town of Kafr Aouid in Idlib governorate on July 27th, 2019 (via @binnish_revolu).

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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4066

Incident date

August 22, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Four civilians from the same family were reported wounded in airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib, on August 22nd.

Syria.liveuamap stated that “several civilians were injured as a result of air strikes targeting the city of Kafar Nabil, south of Idlib.”

Edlib Media Center also documented “civilians wounded due to the regime’s warplanes’ rocket launchers targeting Kafar Nabil city south of Idlib.”

Meanwhile, Smart News Agency reported two wounded in the incident.

Sources variously attributed the attack to Russian forces and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Hamdan Badr Al-Raslan حمدان بدر الرسلان
male injured
Imad Hamdan Al-Badr Al-Raslan عماد حمدان البدر الرسلان
male injured
Rajaa Al-Othman رجاء العثمان
female Wife of Anwar Ahmad Al-Raslan injured
Mahmoud Anwar Al-Raslan محمود أنور الرسلان
male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4098

Incident date

September 10–11, 2019

Location

الضهرة, Al-Dhuhr, Darkush, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9925, 36.397222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian airstrike killed an elderly displaced civilian man in the village of Duhr in Darkush area around midnight between September 10th and September 11th, breaching the ceasefire.

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Ahmad Eisa al Musa, displaced from Tal Hatabat village in the southern suburbs of Aleppo governorate, age 76, was killed on September 11as fixed wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles near a building sheltering IDPs from al Dahr village which is administratively a part of Darkoush city in the western suburbs of Idlib governorate. We report that the bombing is the first by Russian forces since the truce declared by the forces in the fourth de-escalation zone on August 31.”

According to the correspondent of Needa News, the displaced civilian died before dawn.

AlQuds: “We were asleep at midnight when we heard the sound of a rocket that fell 50 meters away from us,” narrated his son Abu Anas, 31. “Everyone came out but my father was late being sick and couldn’t walk easily.”

Several sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were wounded.

Most of the sources attributed the airstrikes to Russian forces and a tweet from @dored1pash identified two raids as being carried out, while @abo_aljod84 reported three air raids.

The incident occured around midnight.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Issa Al-Mousa
76 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

Sources (45) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising up after an alleged Russian airstrike killed a civilian in Darh north of Idlib at midnight between September 10th and 11th (via Step News).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defense forces carrying the body of Ahmad Eisa al Musa, killed by an alleged Russian airstrike at around midnight between September 10th and 11th (via Syrian Network for Human Rights).
  • A car damaged by an alleged Russian airstrike on Dahr village in the night between September 10th and 11th (via Radioalkul).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers at the scene after an alleged Russian airstrike struck near Darkush around midnight between September 10th and 11th (via Syrian Civil Defense).
  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteer at the scene after an alleged Russian airstrike struck Dahr between September 10th and 11th (via Jisr Media Center).
  • Caption translation: The death of (Ahmed Issa Al-Mousa Abu Eid, 76 years old), a displaced person from the village of Tal Hatabat in the southern countryside of Aleppo. (Image posted by Ahmad Abd via Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

Sources (45) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4133

Incident date

November 4, 2019

Location

Syria

Airwars assessment

Local Coordination Committees in Syria reported that Russian warplanes bombed “houses of civilians in the villages of Kfir, Ein Al-Asafir and Ein Al-Bareda in western Idlib countryside.”

A tweet from @zamanalwsl reported that there were material losses in Ain Al Barda from the airstrikes.

Multiple sources reported that airstrikes were carried out on Ain Al Barda but none reported civilian casualties.

No figures on civilian harm are currently available 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
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ 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
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4167

Incident date

November 13, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.849444, 38.553333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reported injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Kafar Nubul in Idlib – Syria on November 13th, 2019, according to local sources.

IdlibPlus said “A man was also injured in the city of Kafar Nabil as a result of the shelling by Russian warplanes with four air strikes.” None of the other sources identified civilian casualties.

“Helicopters bomb with barrel bombs the city of Kafr Nabl” was reported by @baladinetwork.

A tweet from @william33796209 also identified civilian property as being damaged in the strikes.

All of the sources that reported on the strikes attributed them to Russia.

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
    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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: Russian criminal aviation bombs the eastern district of kafrnbil, causing damage to civilian property (Image posted by @william33796209)
  • Caption translation: Russian criminal aviation bombs the eastern district of kafrnbil, causing damage to civilian property (Image posted by @william33796209)
  • Caption translation: The Russian terrorist warplanes bomb the city of Kafr Nabl with high-explosive air strikes (Image posted by @ramiswidfree)

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4200

Incident date

November 26, 2019

Location

كرسعة, Karsa’a, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a child, were killed and several others were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Karsa’a, according to local media.

Idlib Plus said two men were killed, and civilian homes were damaged. Zaiton Mag pointed out that the strikes occurred in residential neighborhoods.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two civilians were struck as they returned from picking olives.

According to the Syrian Human Rights Committee, two people, including a child, were killed in a Russian bombing of Karsa’a village. Various sources also reported that “several” others were wounded but none specified how many.

A tweet from @oulaalassaad also identified two civilians as being killed and others injured in strikes and added the names of those killed: Alaa Fouad Al-Naqouh and Abdo Muhammad Al-Khalaf. @abo_aljod84 specified that Alaa was from the village of Qabrfdha and that Abdo was his uncle.

@Hasan_Jneed specified that vacuum missiles were used in the attack while Baladi News referred to them as high-explosive missiles.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to Russian forces. However, a tweet from @spc_fr attributed the dropping of barrel bombs on the outskirts of the village of Karsa’a on the regime.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Fuad al Naqouh
Child killed
Abdo Mohammad al Khalaf
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the two civilians killed in strikes on the town of Karsa'a on November 26, 2019. (Image posted by @Yuons732)
  • Civilians killed in strikes on the town of Karsa'a on November 26, 2019. (Image posted by Baladi News)
  • Abdo Muhammad Al-Khalaf, killed in strikes on the town of Karsa'a on November 26, 2019. (Image posted by Ma`artamatr via Facebook)
  • Abdo Muhammad Al-Khalaf, killed in strikes on the town of Karsa'a on November 26, 2019. (Image posted by Moaarthorma via Facebook)
  • Two civilians were killed and several injured from the town of #Karsaa in the southern Idlib countryside as a result of a raid by the Russian occupation aircraft on the town this afternoon. Martyrs' names: Alaa Fouad Al-Naqouh Abdo Muhammad Al-Khalaf

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
    2
  • (1 child1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]